Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals

Federal Register: July 14, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 135)

Notices

Page 40399

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

DOCID:fr14jy08-128

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 17f-2(c); SEC File No. 270-35; OMB Control No. 3235-0029.

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 17f-2(c) (17 CFR 240.17f-2(c)).

Rule 17f-2(c) allows persons required to be fingerprinted pursuant to Section 17(f)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to submit their fingerprints through a registered securities exchange or a national securities association in accordance with a plan submitted to and approved by the Commission. The Commission has approved such plans for several exchanges and for the Financial Industry Regulatory

Authority, Inc. (``FINRA'').

It is estimated that 5,984 respondents submit approximately 368,000 fingerprint cards to exchanges or a national securities association on an annual basis. The Commission estimates that it would take approximately 15 minutes to create and submit each fingerprint card.

The total reporting burden is therefore estimated to be 92,000 hours, or approximately 15 hours per respondent, annually. In addition, the exchanges and FINRA charge an estimated $30 fee for processing fingerprint cards, resulting in a total annual cost to all 5,984 respondents of $11,040,000, or $1,845 per respondent per year.

Because the Federal Bureau of Investigation will not accept fingerprint cards directly from submitting organizations, Commission approval of plans from certain exchanges and national securities associations is essential to the Congressional goal of fingerprint personnel in the security industry. The filing of these plans for review assures users and their personnel that fingerprint cards will be handled responsibly and with due care for confidentiality.

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 will 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 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 7, 2008.

Florence E. Harmon,

Acting Secretary.

FR Doc. E8-15904 Filed 7-11-08; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 8010-01-P