03-23396. Proposed Collection: Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). Currently the Bureau of the Public Debt within the Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments concerning the extension of information collections under the regulations which were issued pursuant to the Government Securities Act.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before November 15, 2003, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Bureau of the Public Debt, Vicki S. Thorpe, 200 Third Street, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328, or [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information should be directed to Vicki S. Thorpe, Bureau of the Public Debt, 200 Third Street, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Government Securities Act Regulations.

OMB Number: 1535-0089.

Abstract: The information collections are contained within the regulations issued pursuant to the Government Securities Act (GSA), as amended (15 U.S.C. 780-5), which require government securities brokers and dealers to make and keep certain records concerning their business activities and their holdings of securities, to submit financial reports, and to make certain disclosures to investors. The regulations also require depository institutions to keep certain records of non-fiduciary custodial holdings of government securities. The regulations and associated collections are fundamental to customer protection and dealer financial responsibility.

Current Actions: None.

Type of Review: Extension.

Affected Public: Government securities brokers and dealers and depository institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,564.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 363,957.

Request for comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the 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 collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (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; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

Dated: September 9, 2003.

Vicki S. Thorpe,

Manager, Graphics, Printing and Records Branch.