Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Chapter VII, Section 1(g) Relating to the Exercise of Options Contracts, 16601-16603 [E6-4755]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 63 / Monday, April 3, 2006 / Notices Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of March, 2006. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Peter S. Tam, Senior Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch III–1, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. E6–4778 Filed 3–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards; Revised Meeting Notice The agenda for the 531st ACRS meeting, scheduled to be held on April 5–8, 2006, has been revised as noted below. Notice of this meeting was previously published in the Federal Register on Thursday, March 23, 2006 (71 FR 14724). The discussion of the topic on the Application of the TRACG Code for ESBWR Stability scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 6, 2006 between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. is now scheduled between 8:35–10:30 a.m. as requested by the NRC staff. The discussion of the item on Draft Final Regulatory Guide on fire protection scheduled to be held on Thursday, between 8:35 and 10 a.m. is now scheduled between 3 and 4:30 p.m. The times for other items scheduled for Thursday, April 6, 2006, previously published in the Federal Register, have been adjusted as noted in the revised agenda to facilitate effective use of the Committee’s time. A revised agenda is posted on the NRC Web site at https:// www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html or https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doccollections/ (ACRS & ACNW Mtg schedules/agendas). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Sam Duraiswamy, ACRS, (Telephone: 301–415–7364), between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., ET. Dated: March 28, 2006. Andrew L. Bates, Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E6–4781 Filed 3–31–06; 8:45 am] wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards Meeting of the ACRS Subcommittee on Reliability and Probabilistic Risk Assessment; Notice of Meeting 17:30 Mar 31, 2006 Jkt 208001 The Subcommittee will hear the status of the Risk Management Tech Spec (RMTS) Initiative 4b, ‘‘Use of Configuration Management for Determining Technical Specification Completion Times, Related to the Use of Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) and Risk Monitoring Tools.’’ The Subcommittee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff and industry regarding this matter. The Subcommittee will gather information, analyze relevant issues and facts, and formulate proposed positions and actions, as appropriate, for deliberation by the full Committee. Members of the public desiring to provide oral statements and/or written comments should notify the Designated Federal Official, Mr. John G. Lamb, (Telephone: 301–415–6855) five days prior to the meeting, if possible, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Electronic recordings will be permitted. Further information regarding this meeting can be obtained by contacting the Designated Federal Official between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (ET). Persons planning to attend this meeting are urged to contact the above named individuals at least two working days prior to the meeting to be advised of any potential changes to the agenda. Dated: March 28, 2006. Michael R. Snodderly, Acting Branch Chief, ACRS/ACNW. [FR Doc. E6–4784 Filed 3–31–06; 8:45 am] (2) Form(s) submitted: AA–21, AA– 21cert, G–273a, AA–11a and G–131. (3) OMB Number: 3220–0031. (4) Expiration date of current OMB clearance: 6/30/2006. (5) Type of request: Extension of a currently approved collection. (6) Respondents: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit. (7) Estimated annual number of respondents: 20,600. (8) Total annual responses: 20,600. (9) Total annual reporting hours: 5,150. (10) Collection description: The collection obtains the information needed to pay death benefits and annuities due but unpaid at death under the Railroad Retirement Act. Benefits are paid to designated beneficiaries or to survivors in a priority designated by law. Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency clearance officer (312–751–3363) or Charles.Mierzwa@rrb.gov. Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60611–2092 or Ronald.Hodapp@rrb.gov and to the OMB Desk Officer for the RRB, at the Office of Management and Budget, Room 10230, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503. Charles Mierzwa, Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E6–4796 Filed 3–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7905–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–53557; File No. SR–BSE– 2006–09] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION VerDate Aug<31>2005 Friday, April 28, 2006—8:30 a.m. Until 12:30 p.m. RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD BILLING CODE 7590–01–P The ACRS Subcommittee on Reliability and Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) will hold a meeting on April 28, 2006, Room T–2B3, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The entire meeting will be open to public attendance. The agenda for the subject meeting shall be as follows: 16601 SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has submitted the following proposal(s) for the collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval. Summary of Proposal(s) (1) Collection title: Application for Survivor Death Benefits. PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Chapter VII, Section 1(g) Relating to the Exercise of Options Contracts March 28, 2006. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on March 15, 2006, the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BSE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule 1 15 2 17 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 03APN1 16602 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 63 / Monday, April 3, 2006 / Notices change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The BSE filed the proposal as a ‘‘non-controversial’’ proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4 which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission.5 The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The BSE, pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Act 6 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,7 proposes to amend the Rules of the Boston Options Exchange (‘‘BOX’’), an options trading facility of the BSE, to amend Chapter VII, Section 1(g) relating to the exercise of options contracts and the deadline within which one may make a final decision to exercise or not exercise an expiring option. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the BSE’s Web site at (https:// bostonstock.com), at the BSE’s principal office, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room.8 II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposal. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The BSE has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(B)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 5 As required by Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii), 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the BSE submitted written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing. 6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 7 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 8 In its proposal, the Exchange indicated that no change is being made to subsections .01 and .02 of the Supplementary Material following Chapter VII, Section 1 of the BOX Rules. During a telephone conversation on March 21, 2006, the Exchange clarified that no change is to be made to subsections .03 through .05 of the Supplementary Material following Chapter VII, Section 1 of the BOX Rules. Telephone conversation between Bill Meehan, General Counsel, BSE, and Johnna B. Dumler, Attorney, Division of Market Regulation (‘‘Division’’), Commission, on March 21, 2006. wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES 4 17 VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:30 Mar 31, 2006 Jkt 208001 A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The BSE proposes to amend Chapter VII, Section 1(g) of the BOX Rules to clarify the amount of time that is set forth as the deadline to make a final decision to exercise or not exercise an options contract. On January 11, 2006, the BSE filed a proposed rule change, which the Commission subsequently approved on an accelerated basis, relating to the change in the closing time for trading options on individual stocks from 4:02 p.m. Eastern Time (‘‘ET’’) to 4 p.m. ET.9 However, that proposed rule change did not address a corresponding change to Chapter VII, Section 1(g) of the BOX Rules relating to the time frame within which to exercise or not exercise an options contract. Therefore, the BSE now seeks to amend this rule text for purposes of consistency with the new hours of trading in equity options on individual stocks. The BSE proposes to change all references in Chapter VII, Section 1(g) from 28 minutes to 30 minutes to reflect the two minute change in the closing time for trading of options on individual stocks. According to the Exchange, the proposed rule change is based on similar rule changes submitted by the Pacific Exchange, Inc., the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. and the International Securities Exchange, Inc.10 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 11 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 12 in particular, because it is designed to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market 9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53245 (February 7, 2006), 71 FR 8010 (February 15, 2006) (approving SR–BSE–2006–02). The BSE filed SR– BSE–2006–02 on January 11, 2006 and subsequently filed a partial amendment on February 2, 2006, which requested the implementation date for the new closing time be changed from February 1, 2006, as originally proposed, to February 13, 2006. 10 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 53249 (February 7, 2006), 71 FR 8035 (February 15, 2006) (SR–PCX–2005–138); 53407 (March 3, 2006), 71 FR 12764 (March 13, 2006) (SR–Phlx–2006–12); 53439 (March 7, 2006), 71 FR 13643 (March 16, 2006) (SR–ISE–2006–11). See also 53438 (March 7, 2006, 71 FR 13641 (March 16, 2006) (SR–CBOE– 2006–19). 11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.13 B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others The BSE has neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) by its terms does not become operative for 30-days after the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 14 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.15 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 16 normally does not become operative prior to 30-days after the date of filing. However, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The BSE has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because such waiver will allow the BSE to immediately clarify its rule and conform it to the industry-wide close of trading times now in effect. Accelerating the operative date will facilitate efficient and effective market operation by offering clarity and internal consistency with existing BSE rules. For these reasons, the 13 The Exchange clarified that it is relying on the statutory bases set forth above, as opposed to the factors enumerated in the ‘‘Basis’’ Section of Exhibit 1. Telephone conversation between Bill Meehan, General Counsel, BSE, and Johnna B. Dumler, Attorney, Division, Commission, on March 21, 2006. 14 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 15 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 16 Id. E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 63 / Monday, April 3, 2006 / Notices Commission designates the proposed rule change as effective and operative immediately upon filing with the Commission.17 At any time within 60-days after the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–BSE–2006–09 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BSE–2006–09. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission’s Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the BSE. All 17 For the purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative date of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:30 Mar 31, 2006 Jkt 208001 comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BSE–2006–09 and should be submitted on or before April 24, 2006. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.18 Nancy M. Morris, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–4755 Filed 3–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–53556; File No. SR–NASD– 2005–098] Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to the Submission of SEC Rule 15c2–11 Information on Non-Nasdaq Securities March 27, 2006. On August 18, 2005, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’), a proposed rule change to NASD Rule 6740 relating to the submission of SEC Rule 15c2–11 information on non-Nasdaq securities pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’ or ‘‘Exchange Act’’) ;1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder.2 On January 10, 2006, NASD submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.3 The Commission published the proposed rule change, as amended, for comment in the Federal Register on February 21, 2006.4 The Commission received no comments on the proposal. NASD Rule 6740 prohibits a member from initiating or resuming the quotation of a non-Nasdaq security 5 in 18 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 Amendment No. 1 made certain technical and clarifying changes to the original rule filing of August 18, 2005 and superseded and replaced the original rule filing in its entirety. 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53276 (February 13, 2006), 71 FR 8875 (February 21, 2006). 5 For purposes of this rule, ‘‘non-Nasdaq security’’ is defined in NASD Rule 6710(c) as ‘‘any equity security that is neither included in The Nasdaq Stock Market nor traded on any national securities exchange.’’ 15 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16603 a quotation medium unless the member has demonstrated compliance with the requirements of SEC Rule 15c2–11 pertaining to the review and maintenance of specified information about the security and issuer. To demonstrate compliance with both NASD Rule 6740 and SEC Rule 15c2– 11, a member must file with NASD a Form 211, together with the information required under SEC Rule 15c2–11(a), at least three business days before the quotation is published or displayed. The proposed rule change, as amended, relieves members of the obligation to file with NASD copies of information that is electronically accessible through the SEC’s EDGAR system. Although members will not be required to file the information with NASD, they will nonetheless remain obligated under NASD Rule 6740 to review and maintain information as required by SEC Rule 15c2–11. Further, where copies of documents are not submitted to NASD because they are available through EDGAR, members will continue to be required to provide on the Form 211 the type and date of each report or statement, as well as other information as may be requested by NASD relating to each report or statement for the reporting issuer that the member relied upon in satisfying its information review obligations under NASD Rule 6740 and SEC Rule 15c2– 11(a).6 In addition, the proposed rule change, as amended, would except members from the requirements of NASD Rule 6740 where the Commission has granted an exemption to publish or submit any quotation under SEC Rule 15c2–11(h). To the extent that the Commission’s exemption is subject to any terms and conditions, those same terms and conditions would apply to the exclusion under NASD Rule 6740. Finally, the proposed rule change, as amended, replaces, as a technical change, several references in NASD Rule 6740 to ‘‘the Association’’ with the name ‘‘NASD.’’ NASD has stated that the effective date of the proposed rule change will be 30 days following publication of NASD’s Notice to Members announcing Commission approval, and the Commission believes that this is reasonable.7 6 If information other than the type and date of the statement or report is required to be submitted by members under this proposed provision, NASD will provide notice of these additional requirements in a Notice to Members. 7 NASD will announce the effective date of the proposed rule change in a Notice to Members to be published no later than 60 days following Commission approval. E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 63 (Monday, April 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16601-16603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4755]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-53557; File No. SR-BSE-2006-09]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend Chapter VII, Section 1(g) Relating to the Exercise of Options 
Contracts

March 28, 2006.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on March 15, 2006, the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (``BSE'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule

[[Page 16602]]

change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been 
prepared by the Exchange. The BSE filed the proposal as a ``non-
controversial'' proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of 
the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder,\4\ which renders it 
effective upon filing with the Commission.\5\ The Commission is 
publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change 
from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(B)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \5\ As required by Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), 17 CFR 240.19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the BSE submitted written notice of its intent to file 
the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of 
the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the 
date of filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The BSE, pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Act \6\ and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder,\7\ proposes to amend the Rules of the Boston Options 
Exchange (``BOX''), an options trading facility of the BSE, to amend 
Chapter VII, Section 1(g) relating to the exercise of options contracts 
and the deadline within which one may make a final decision to exercise 
or not exercise an expiring option. The text of the proposed rule 
change is available on the BSE's Web site at (https://bostonstock.com), 
at the BSE's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference 
Room.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \7\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \8\ In its proposal, the Exchange indicated that no change is 
being made to subsections .01 and .02 of the Supplementary Material 
following Chapter VII, Section 1 of the BOX Rules. During a 
telephone conversation on March 21, 2006, the Exchange clarified 
that no change is to be made to subsections .03 through .05 of the 
Supplementary Material following Chapter VII, Section 1 of the BOX 
Rules. Telephone conversation between Bill Meehan, General Counsel, 
BSE, and Johnna B. Dumler, Attorney, Division of Market Regulation 
(``Division''), Commission, on March 21, 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposal. The text of these 
statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. 
The BSE has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C 
below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The BSE proposes to amend Chapter VII, Section 1(g) of the BOX 
Rules to clarify the amount of time that is set forth as the deadline 
to make a final decision to exercise or not exercise an options 
contract.
    On January 11, 2006, the BSE filed a proposed rule change, which 
the Commission subsequently approved on an accelerated basis, relating 
to the change in the closing time for trading options on individual 
stocks from 4:02 p.m. Eastern Time (``ET'') to 4 p.m. ET.\9\ However, 
that proposed rule change did not address a corresponding change to 
Chapter VII, Section 1(g) of the BOX Rules relating to the time frame 
within which to exercise or not exercise an options contract. 
Therefore, the BSE now seeks to amend this rule text for purposes of 
consistency with the new hours of trading in equity options on 
individual stocks. The BSE proposes to change all references in Chapter 
VII, Section 1(g) from 28 minutes to 30 minutes to reflect the two 
minute change in the closing time for trading of options on individual 
stocks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53245 (February 7, 
2006), 71 FR 8010 (February 15, 2006) (approving SR-BSE-2006-02). 
The BSE filed SR-BSE-2006-02 on January 11, 2006 and subsequently 
filed a partial amendment on February 2, 2006, which requested the 
implementation date for the new closing time be changed from 
February 1, 2006, as originally proposed, to February 13, 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the Exchange, the proposed rule change is based on 
similar rule changes submitted by the Pacific Exchange, Inc., the 
Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. and the International Securities 
Exchange, Inc.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 53249 (February 7, 
2006), 71 FR 8035 (February 15, 2006) (SR-PCX-2005-138); 53407 
(March 3, 2006), 71 FR 12764 (March 13, 2006) (SR-Phlx-2006-12); 
53439 (March 7, 2006), 71 FR 13643 (March 16, 2006) (SR-ISE-2006-
11). See also 53438 (March 7, 2006, 71 FR 13641 (March 16, 2006) 
(SR-CBOE-2006-19).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with Section 6(b) of the Act \11\ in general, and furthers the 
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \12\ in particular, because it 
is designed to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged 
in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to 
and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national 
market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public 
interest.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \13\ The Exchange clarified that it is relying on the statutory 
bases set forth above, as opposed to the factors enumerated in the 
``Basis'' Section of Exhibit 1. Telephone conversation between Bill 
Meehan, General Counsel, BSE, and Johnna B. Dumler, Attorney, 
Division, Commission, on March 21, 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The BSE has neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed 
rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change: (1) Does not 
significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; 
and (3) by its terms does not become operative for 30-days after the 
date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may 
designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public 
interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to 
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \14\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
thereunder.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \15\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \16\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30-days after the date of filing. 
However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) permits the Commission to designate a 
shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest. The BSE has asked the Commission to 
waive the 30-day operative delay. The Commission believes that waiving 
the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest because such waiver will allow the 
BSE to immediately clarify its rule and conform it to the industry-wide 
close of trading times now in effect. Accelerating the operative date 
will facilitate efficient and effective market operation by offering 
clarity and internal consistency with existing BSE rules. For these 
reasons, the

[[Page 16603]]

Commission designates the proposed rule change as effective and 
operative immediately upon filing with the Commission.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Id.
    \17\ For the purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative date 
of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's 
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60-days after the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it 
appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate 
in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://
www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-BSE-2006-09 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BSE-2006-09. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/
sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and 
copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such 
filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the 
principal office of the BSE. All comments received will be posted 
without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying 
information from submissions. You should submit only information that 
you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to 
File Number SR-BSE-2006-09 and should be submitted on or before April 
24, 2006.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
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    \18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E6-4755 Filed 3-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
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