Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals

Federal Register: July 10, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 133)

Notices

Page 39738-39739

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr10jy08-102

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Proposed 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 17Ad-3(b); SEC File No. 270-424; OMB Control No. 3235-0473.

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 17Ad-3(b) (17 CFR 240.17Ad-3(b)).

Rule 17Ad-3(b) requires registered transfer agents that for each of two consecutive months have failed to turnaround at least 75% of all routine items in accordance with the requirements of Rule 17Ad-2(a) or to

Page 39739

process at least 75% of all routine items in accordance with the requirements of Rule 17Ad-2(a) to send to the chief executive officer of each issuer for which such registered transfer agent acts a copy of the written notice required under Rule 17Ad-2(c), (d), and (h). The issuer may use the information contained in the notices in several ways: (1) To provide an early warning to the issuer of the transfer agent's non-compliance with the Commission's minimum performance standards regarding registered transfer agents, and (2) to assure that issuers are aware of certain problems and poor performances with respect to the transfer agents that are servicing the issuer's securities. If the issuer does not receive notice of a registered transfer agent's failure to comply with the Commission's minimum performance standards, then the issuer will be unable to take remedial action to correct the problem or to find another registered transfer agent. Pursuant to Rule 17Ad-3(b), a transfer agent that has already filed a Notice of Non-Compliance with the Commission pursuant to Rule 17Ad-2 will only be required to send a copy of that notice to issuers for which it acts when that transfer agent fails to turnaround 75% of all routine items or to process 75% of all items.

The Commission estimates that only two transfer agents will meet the requirements of Rule 17Ad-3(b). If a transfer agent fails to meet the minimum requirements under 17Ad-3(b), such transfer agent is simply sending a copy of a form that had already been produced for the

Commission. The Commission estimates a requirement will take each respondent approximately one hour to complete, for a total annual estimate burden of two hours at cost of approximately $60.00 for each hour.

Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions for 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 60 days of this publication.

Please direct your written comments to Lewis W. Walker, Acting

Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission,

C/O Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, Virginia 22312; or send an e-mail to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.

Dated: July 2, 2008.

Florence E. Harmon,

Acting Secretary.

FR Doc. E8-15642 Filed 7-9-08; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 8010-01-P