Sunshine Act Meeting, 30454-30455 [06-4917]

Download as PDF 30454 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Notices notice. In the event that an e-mail submission is impossible, submissions should be made by facsimile. Persons making submissions by e-mail should use the following subject line: ‘‘Trade Advisory Committee for Africa Nomination’’. Documents should be submitted as WordPerfect, MSWord, or text (.TXT) files. Persons who make submissions by e-mail should not provide separate cover letters; information that might appear in a cover letter should be included in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent possible, any attachments to the submission should be included in the same file as the submission itself, and not as separate files. For consideration, a nominee should ´ send (1) a sponsor letter, (2) a resume, with demonstrated knowledge of international trade and development issues with respect to sub-Saharan Africa, and (3) company or organization information to the e-mail address or facsimile number indicated above. Sponsor letters must be on the company or organization letterhead. Company or organization information must address the activities, products, or services of the U.S. entity to be represented and certify that the entity is a U.S. entity as defined in the Eligibility section above. Florizelle Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for African Affairs. [FR Doc. E6–8086 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45 am] Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review 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. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Summary of Proposal(s) (1) Collection title: Statement of Claimant or Other Person. (2) Form(s) submitted: G–93. (3) OMB Number: 3220–0183. (4) Expiration date of current OMB clearance: 09/30/2006. (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: 900. (8) Total annual responses: 900. Jkt 208001 information needed to determine the amount to be withheld. 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. E6–8134 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7905–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION OF PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT: 71 FR 28892, May 18, 2006. BILLING CODE 7905–01–P Closed meeting. 100 F Street, NE., Washington, STATUS: Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD 16:12 May 25, 2006 Charles Mierzwa, Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 06–4889 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45 am] RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD BILLING CODE 3190–W6–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 (9) Total annual reporting hours: 225. (10) Collection description: Under Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, pertinent information and proofs must be submitted by an applicant so that the Railroad Retirement Board can determine his or her entitlement to benefits. The collection obtains information supplementing or changing information previously provided by an applicant. Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency clearance officer at (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. 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: Nonresident Questionnaire. (2) Form(s) submitted: RRB–1001. (3) OMB Number: 3220–0145. (4) Expiration date of current OMB clearance: July 31, 2006. (5) Type of request: Extension of a currently approved collection. (6) Respondents: Individuals or households. (7) Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,300. (8) Total annual responses: 1,300. (9) Total annual reporting hours: 650. (10) Collection description: Under the Railroad Retirement Act, the benefits payable to an annuitant living outside the United States may be subject to withholding under Public Laws 98–21 and 98–76. The form obtains the PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 PLACE: DC. DATE AND TIME OF PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED MEETING: Monday, May 22, 2006, at 11 a.m. and Thursday, May 25, 2006, at 2 p.m. CHANGE IN THE MEETING: Additional items. The Commission considered the following item during the closed meeting scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2006: Settlement of an injunctive action. The General Counsel of the Commission, or his designee, has certified that, in his opinion, one or more of the exemptions set forth in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(5), (7), (9)(B), (10) and 17 CFR 200.402(a)(5), (7), (9)(ii), and (10) permit consideration of the scheduled matters at the closed meeting. The post-argument discussion previously announced for Monday, May 22, 2006 will be considered during the closed meeting on Thursday, May 25, 2006. Commissioner Atkins, as duty officer, determined that Commission business required the above changes and that no earlier notice thereof was possible. At times, changes in Commission priorities require alterations in the scheduling of meeting items. For further information and to ascertain what, if any, matters have been added, deleted E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Notices or postponed, please contact: The Office of the Secretary at (202) 551–5400. Dated: May 22, 2006. Nancy M. Morris, Secretary. [FR Doc. 06–4917 Filed 5–24–06; 11:16 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–53843; File No. SR–Amex– 2006–49] Self-Regulatory Organizations; American Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend Until June 5, 2007, a Pilot Program for Listing Options on Selected Stocks Trading Below $20 at One-Point Intervals May 19, 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 May 17, 2006, the American Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘Amex’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Amex. The Amex filed the proposal pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act,3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4 which renders the proposal effective upon the filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Amex proposes to amend Commentary .05 to Amex Rule 903, ‘‘Series of Options Open for Trading,’’ to extend until June 5, 2007, its pilot program for listing options series on selected stocks trading below $20 at one-point intervals (‘‘Pilot Program’’). The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Amex’s Web site (https://www.amex.com), at the Amex’s principal office, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 2 17 VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:12 May 25, 2006 Jkt 208001 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 Amex included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Amex 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 Pilot Program was established in June 2003,5 with two one-year extensions granted by the Commission in June 2004 and June 2005.6 The Amex believes that the Pilot Program has operated as designed, providing investors with greater flexibility in achieving their investment strategies in connection with stocks trading below $20. Accordingly, the Amex believes that a one-year extension, through June 5, 2007, is reasonable and consistent with the intent of the Pilot Program. The Pilot Program permits the Exchange to select a total of five individual stocks on which options series may be listed at $1 strike price intervals. To be eligible for the Pilot Program, an underlying stock must close below $20 on its primary market on the previous trading day. If selected, the Exchange may list $1 strike prices at $1 intervals from $3 to $20, consistent with the terms of the Pilot Program. Under the Pilot Program, a $1 strike price may not be listed that is greater than $5 from the underlying stock’s closing price on its primary market on the previous day. The Exchange may also list $1 strikes on any other options class designated by another options exchange that employs a similar pilot program approved by the Commission. The Pilot Program prohibits the Exchange from listing $1 strikes on any 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 48024 (June 12, 2003), 68 FR 36617 (June 18, 2003) (order approving File No. SR–Amex–2003–36) (‘‘Pilot Approval Order’’). 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 49813 (June 4, 2004), 69 FR 33088 (June 14, 2004) (File No. SR–Amex–2004–45) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness of extension of the Pilot Program through June 5, 2005); and 51770 (May 31, 2005), 70 FR 33226 (June 7, 2005) (File No. SR– Amex–2005–40) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness of extension of the Pilot Program through June 5, 2006) (collectively, ‘‘Pilot Program Extension Notices’’). PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30455 series of individual equity options classes that have greater than nine months until expiration. In addition, the Exchange is restricted from listing any series that would result in strike prices being $0.50 apart. To date, the Exchange believes that the Pilot Program has been beneficial to investors and the options market by providing investors with greater flexibility in the trading of equity options that overlie stocks trading below $20. In this manner, options investors are able to better tailor their strategies through the availability of $1 strikes. The Pilot Program Report, attached as Exhibit 3, provides data regarding the Pilot Program as required in the Pilot Program Extension Notices.7 The Amex notes that, as the data indicates, the $1 strikes exhibited higher volume and open interest than the ‘‘standard’’ strike price intervals. Specifically, the five options classes selected by the Amex for $1 strikes had a trading volume of 1,308,261 contracts, while the ‘‘standard’’ strikes for the same options classes had a trading volume 1,350,314 contracts. Of even greater significance is the difference in open interest between the $1 strikes and ‘‘standard’’ strikes. As of April 28, 2006, $1 strikes open interest totaled 475,183 contracts versus 65,264 contracts for ‘‘standard’’ strikes. Given the limited nature of the Pilot Program, the Exchange submits that the impact on systems has been minimal. Accordingly, the Amex believes that an extension of the Pilot Program for one year through June 5, 2007, is warranted. 2. Statutory Basis The Amex believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the section 6(b) of the Act,8 in general, and furthers the objective of section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9 in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Amex believes that the proposed rule change will impose no burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in the furtherance of the purposes of the Act. 7 See Pilot Program Extension Notices, supra note 6. 8 15 9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30454-30455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4917]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Sunshine Act Meeting

Federal Register Citation of Previous Announcement: 71 FR 28892, May 
18, 2006.

Status: Closed meeting.

Place: 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC.

Date and Time of Previously Announced Meeting: Monday, May 22, 2006, at 
11 a.m. and Thursday, May 25, 2006, at 2 p.m.

Change in the Meeting: Additional items.
    The Commission considered the following item during the closed 
meeting scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2006: Settlement of an injunctive 
action.
    The General Counsel of the Commission, or his designee, has 
certified that, in his opinion, one or more of the exemptions set forth 
in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(5), (7), (9)(B), (10) and 17 CFR 200.402(a)(5), 
(7), (9)(ii), and (10) permit consideration of the scheduled matters at 
the closed meeting.
    The post-argument discussion previously announced for Monday, May 
22, 2006 will be considered during the closed meeting on Thursday, May 
25, 2006.
    Commissioner Atkins, as duty officer, determined that Commission 
business required the above changes and that no earlier notice thereof 
was possible.
    At times, changes in Commission priorities require alterations in 
the scheduling of meeting items. For further information and to 
ascertain what, if any, matters have been added, deleted

[[Page 30455]]

or postponed, please contact: The Office of the Secretary at (202) 551-
5400.

    Dated: May 22, 2006.
Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-4917 Filed 5-24-06; 11:16 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.