Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals

Federal Register: October 23, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 206)

Notices

Page 63213

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

DOCID:fr23oc08-106

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 3a-8; SEC File No. 270-516; OMB Control No. 3235-0574.

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 (the ``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collections of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit the existing collection of information to the Office of

Management and Budget for extension and approval.

Rule 3a-8 (17 CFR 270.3a-8) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

(15 U.S.C. 80a) (the ``Act''), serves as a nonexclusive safe harbor from investment company status for certain research and development companies (``R&D companies'').

The rule requires that the board of directors of an R&D company seeking to rely on the safe harbor adopt an appropriate resolution evidencing that the company is primarily engaged in a non-investment business and record that resolution contemporaneously in its minute books or comparable documents.\1\ An R&D company seeking to rely on the safe harbor must retain these records only as long as such records must be maintained in accordance with state law.

\1\ Rule 3a-8(a)(6) (17 CFR 270.3a-8(6)).

Rule 3a-8 contains an additional requirement that is also a collection of information within the meaning of the PRA. The board of directors of a company that relies on the safe harbor under rule 3a-8 must adopt a written policy with respect to the company's capital preservation investments. We expect that the board of directors will base its decision to adopt the resolution discussed above, in part, on investment guidelines that the company will follow to ensure its investment portfolio is in compliance with the rule's requirements.

The collection of information imposed by rule 3a-8 is voluntary because the rule is an exemptive safe harbor, and therefore, R&D companies may choose whether or not to rely on it. The purposes of the information collection requirements in rule 3a-8 are to ensure that:

(i) The board of directors of an R&D company is involved in determining whether the company should be considered an investment company and subject to regulation under the Act, and (ii) adequate records are available for Commission review, if necessary. Rule 3a-8 would not require the reporting of any information or the filing of any documents with the Commission.

Commission staff estimates that there is no annual recordkeeping burden associated with the rule's requirements. Nevertheless, the

Commission requests authorization to maintain an inventory of one burden hour for administrative purposes.

Commission staff estimates that approximately 500 R&D companies may rely on rule 3a-8. Given that the board resolutions and investment guidelines will generally need to be adopted only once (unless relevant circumstances change),\2\ the Commission believes that all the companies that rely on rule 3a-8 adopted their board resolutions and established written investment guidelines in 2003 when the rule was adopted. We expect that newly formed R&D companies would adopt the board resolution and investment guidelines simultaneously with their formation documents in the ordinary course of business.\3\ Therefore, we estimate that rule 3a-8 will not create additional time burdens.

\2\ In the event of changed circumstances, the Commission believes that the board resolution and investment guidelines will be amended and recorded in the ordinary course of business and would not create additional time burdens.

\3\ In order for these companies to raise sufficient capital to fund their product development stage, we believe they will need to present potential investors with investment guidelines. Investors would want to be assured that the company's funds are invested consistent with the goals of capital preservation and liquidity.

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/CIO, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Shirley

Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312; or send an e- mail to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.

Dated: October 16, 2008.

J. Lynn Taylor,

Assistant Secretary.

FR Doc. E8-25238 Filed 10-22-08; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P