2012-9937. Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549-0213.

Extension:

Rule 17a-6; OMB Control No. 3235-0489; SEC File No. 270-433.

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 collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval.

Rule 17a-6 (17 CFR 240.17a-6) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) permits national securities exchanges, national securities associations, registered clearing agencies, and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) (collectively, “SROs”) to destroy or convert to microfilm or other recording media records maintained under Rule 17a-1, if they have filed a record destruction plan with the Commission and the Commission has declared such plan effective.

There are currently 26 SROs: 15 national securities exchanges, 1 national securities association, the MSRB, and 9 registered clearing agencies. Of the 26 SROs, 2 SRO respondents have filed a record destruction plan with the Commission. The staff calculates that the preparation and filing of a new record destruction plan should take 160 hours. Further, any existing SRO record destruction plans may require revision, over time, in response to, for example, changes in document retention technology, which the Commission estimates will take much less than the 160 hours estimated for a new plan. Thus, the total annual compliance burden is estimated to be 60 hours per year. The approximate cost per hour is $305, resulting in a total cost of compliance for these respondents of $18,300 per year (30 hours @ $305 per hour).

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 estimate of the burden of the 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 60 days of this publication.

The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

Comments should be directed to Thomas Bayer, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi Pavlik-Simon, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312 or send an email to [e-mail].

Dated: April 19, 2012.

Elizabeth M. Murphy,

Secretary.