
[Federal Register: November 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 222)]
[Notices]               
[Page 67899]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17no08-94]                         

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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

Extension:
    Rule 10b-17; OMB Control No. 3235-0476; SEC File No. 270-427.

    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'') has submitted to the Office of Management 
and Budget a request for approval of extension of the existing 
collection of information provided for in the following rule: Rule 10b-
17 (17 CFR 240.10b-17).
    Rule 10b-17 requires any issuer of a class of securities publicly 
traded by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate 
commerce or of the mails or of any facility of any national securities 
exchange to give notice of the following specific distributions 
relating to such class of securities: (1) A dividend or other 
distribution in cash or in kind other than interest payments on debt 
securities; (2) a stock split or reverse stock split; or (3) a rights 
or other subscription offering. Notice shall be either given to the 
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. as successor to the 
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or in accordance with 
the procedures of the national securities exchange upon which the 
securities are registered. The Commission may exempt an issuer of over-
the-counter (but not listed) securities from the notice requirement. 
The requirements of 10b-17 do not apply to redeemable securities of 
registered open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts.
    The information required by Rule 10b-17 is necessary for the 
execution of the Commission's mandate under the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 to prevent fraudulent, manipulative, and deceptive acts and 
practices. The Commission has found that not requiring formal notices 
of the types of distributions covered by Rule 10b-17 has led to a 
number of abuses including purchasers not being aware of their rights 
to such distributions. It is only through formal notice of the 
distribution, including the date of the distribution, that current 
holders, potential buyers, or potential sellers of the securities at 
issue will know their rights to the distribution. Therefore, it is only 
through formal notice that investors can make an informed decision as 
to whether to buy or sell a security.
    There are approximately 4,052 respondents per year. These 
respondents make approximately 17,262 responses per year. Each response 
takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Thus, the total compliance 
burden per year is 2,877 burden hours.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid control number.
    Comments should be directed to (i) Desk Officer for the Securities 
and Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office 
Building, Washington, DC 20503 or by sending an e-mail to: 
nfraser@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Lewis W. Walker, Acting Director/Chief 
Information Officer, 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. Comments must be submitted within 30 
days of this notice.

    Dated: November 10, 2008.
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-27237 Filed 11-14-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
