
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 246 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 75680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30789]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 17g-4; SEC File No. 270-566; OMB Control No. 3235-0627.

    Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (``PRA''), the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the existing 
collection of information provided for in Rule 17g-4 (17 CFR 240.17g-4) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) 
(``Exchange Act''). The Commission plans to submit this existing 
collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget 
(``OMB'') for extension and approval.
    The Credit Rating Agency Reform Act of 2006 added a new section 
15E, ``Registration of Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating 
Organizations,'' \1\ to the Exchange Act. Pursuant to the authority 
granted under section 15E of the Exchange Act, the Commission adopted 
Rule 17g-4, which requires that a nationally recognized statistical 
rating organization (``NRSRO'') establish, maintain, and enforce 
written policies and procedures to prevent the misuse of material 
nonpublic information, including policies and procedures reasonably 
designed to prevent: (a) The inappropriate dissemination of material 
nonpublic information obtained in connection with the performance of 
credit rating services; (b) a person within the NRSRO from trading on 
material nonpublic information; and (c) the inappropriate dissemination 
of a pending credit rating action.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-7.
    \2\ See 17 CFR 240.17g-4; Release No. 34-55231 (Feb. 2, 2007), 
72 FR 6378 (Feb. 9, 2007); Release No. 34-55857 (June 5, 2007), 72 
FR 33564 (June 18, 2007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    There are 10 credit rating agencies registered with the Commission 
as NRSROs under section 15E of the Exchange Act, which have already 
established the policies and procedures required by Rule 17g-4. Based 
on staff experience, an NRSRO is estimated to spend an average of 
approximately 10 hours per year reviewing its policies and procedures 
regarding material nonpublic information and updating them (if 
necessary), resulting in an average industry-wide annual hour burden of 
approximately 100 hours.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 10 currently registered NRSROs x 10 hours = 100 hours.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 
estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
respondents; 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 OMB 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 OMB control number.
    Please direct your written comments to: Thomas Bayer, Director/
Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi 
Pavlik-Simon, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, Virginia 22312 or 
send an email to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.

    Dated: December 17, 2012.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-30789 Filed 12-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


