2024-21656. Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension: Rule 17f-1(b)

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Securities and Exchange Commission

1. [SEC File No. 270-028, OMB Control No. 3235-0032]

( print page 77565)

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-2736

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (“PRA”) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the existing collection of information provided for in Rule 17f-1(b) (17 CFR 240.17f-1(b)), under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for extension and approval.

Under Rule 17f-1(b) under the Exchange Act, approximately 9,500 entities in the securities industry are registered in the Lost and Stolen Securities Program (“Program”). Registration fulfills a statutory requirement that entities report and inquire about missing, lost, counterfeit, or stolen securities. Registration also allows entities in the securities industry to gain access to a confidential database that stores information for the Program.

The Commission staff estimates that 4 new entities will register in the Program each year. The staff estimates that the average number of hours necessary to comply with Rule 17f-1(b) is one-half hour. Accordingly, the staff estimates that total annual burden for all participants is 2 hours (4 × one-half hour). The Commission staff estimates that compliance staff work at subject entities results in an internal cost of compliance, at an estimated hourly wage of $344, of $172 per year per entity (.5 hours × $344 per hour = $172 per year). Therefore, the aggregate annual internal cost of compliance is approximately $688 ($172 × 4= $688).

Written comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted by November 22, 2024.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Please direct your written comments to: Austin Gerig, Director/Chief Data Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Oluwaseun Ajayi, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, or send an email to: [e-mail].

Dated: September 18, 2024.

Vanessa A. Countryman,

Secretary.