01-9167. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549.

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the collections of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit these existing collections of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval.

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) sets forth a regulatory scheme for national securities exchanges. Rule 6a-1 under the Act ^[1] generally requires an applicant, for initial registration as a national securities exchange, to file an application with the Commission on Form 1. An exchange that seeks an exemption from registration based on limited trading volume also must apply for such exemption on Form 1. Rule 6a-2 under the Act ^[2] requires registered and exempt exchanges: (1) To amend the Form 1 if there are any material changes to the information provided in the initial Form 1; and (2) to submit periodic updates of certain information provided in the initial Form 1, whether such information has changed or not. The information required pursuant to Rules 6a-1 and 6a-2 is necessary to enable the Commission to maintain accurate files regarding the exchange and to exercise its statutory oversight functions. Without the information submitted pursuant to Rule 6a-1 of Form 1, the Commission would not be able to determine whether the respondent met the criteria for registration or exemption set forth in Sections 6 and 19 of the Act. Without the amendments and periodic updates of information submitted pursuant to Rule 6a-2, the Commission would have substantial difficulty determining whether a national securities exchange or exempt exchange was continuing to operate in compliance with the Act.

The respondents to the collection of information are entities that seek registration as a national securities exchange or that seek exemption from registration based on limited trading volume. After the initial filing of Form 1, both registered and exempt exchanges are subject to ongoing informational requirements.

Initial filings on Form 1 by new exchanges are made on a one-time basis. The Commission estimates that it will receive approximately three initial Form 1 filings per year and that each respondent would incur an average burden of 47 hours to file an initial Form 1 at an average cost per response of approximately $4517. Therefore, the Commission estimates that the annual burden for all respondents to file the initial Form 1 would be 141 hours (one response/respondent x three respondents x 47 hours/response) and $13,551 (one response/respondent x three respondents x $4517/response).

There currently are nine entities registered as national securities exchanges and two exempt exchanges. The Commission estimates that each registered or exempt exchange files one amendment or periodic update to Form 1 per year, incurring an average burden of 25 hours to comply with Rule 6a-2. The Commission estimates that the annual burden for all respondents to file amendments and periodic updates to the Form 1 pursuant to Rule 6a-2 is 275 hours (11 respondents x 25 hours/ response x one response/respondent per year) and $25,630 (11 respondents x $2330/response x one response/respondent per year).

Section 6 of the Act ^[3] sets out a framework for the registration and regulation of national securities exchanges. Under Commission Rule 6a-3,^[4] one of the rules that implements Section 6, a national securities exchange (or an exchange exempted from registration as a national securities exchange based on limited trading volume) must provide certain supplemental information to the Commission, including any material (including notices, circulars, bulletins, lists, and periodicals) issued or made generally available to members of, or participants or subscribers to, the exchange. Rule 6a-3 also requires the exchanges to file monthly reports that set forth the volume and aggregate dollar amount of securities sold on the exchange each month. The information required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 6a-3 is designed to enable the Commission to carry out its statutorily mandated oversight functions and to ensure that registered and exempt exchanges continue to be in compliance with the Act.

The respondents to the collection of information are national securities exchanges and exchanges that are exempt from registration based on limited trading volume.

The Commission estimates that each respondent makes approximately 25 such filings on an annual basis at an average cost of approximately $21 per response. Currently, 11 respondents (nine national securities exchanges and two exempt exchanges) are subject to the collection of information requirements of rule 6a-3. The Commission estimates that the total burden for all respondents is 137.5 hours (25 filings/respondent per year x 0.5 hours/filing x 11 respondents) and $5775 ($21/response x 25 responses/respondent per year x 11 respondents) per year.

Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 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 in writing within within 60 days of this publication.

Direct your written comments to Michael E. Bartell, Associate Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.

Dated: April 6, 2001.

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  17 CFR 240.6a-1

2.  17 CFR 240.6a-2.

3.  15 U.S.C. 78f.

4.  17 CFR 240.6a-3.