Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 56246-56247 [E9-26175]

Download as PDF sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES 56246 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 209 / Friday, October 30, 2009 / Notices SUMMARY: The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO), on behalf of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the Committee on Technology, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), will hold a workshop on November 17–18, 2009, to provide an open forum to discuss the state-of-theart of the science related to environmental, health, and safety aspects of nanomaterials in two areas: human health and instrumentation and metrology. Nanomaterials and Human Health & Instrumentation, Metrology, and Analytical Needs are two of the five environmental, health, and safety research categories identified in the NSET Subcommittee document Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Safety Research (https://www.nano.gov/ NNI_EHS_Research_Strategy.pdf), which was released February 14, 2008. DATES: The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn-Key Bridge, 1900 N. Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209 (Metro stop: Rosslyn on the Orange and Blue lines). For directions, please see www.holidayinn.com. Registration: Due to space limitations, pre-registration for the workshop is required. People interested in attending the workshop should register online at https://nano.gov/html/meetings/ humanhealth/register.html. Written notices of participation by e-mail should be sent to humanhealth@nnco.nano.gov. Written notices also may be mailed to the Human Health & IMA Workshop, c/o NNCO, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Stafford II, Suite 405, Arlington, VA 22230. Registration is on a first-come, firstserved basis. Registration will close on November 13, 2009 at noon EST. Those interested in presenting 3–5 minutes of public comments at the meeting also should register at https:// nano.gov/html/meetings/humanhealth/ register.html. Written or electronic comments should be submitted by email to humanhealth@nnco.nano.gov until December 1, 2009. Information about the meeting, including the agenda, is posted at https:// www.nano.gov. The main sessions will be Web-cast. Please see https://nano.gov/html/ meetings/humanhealth/ for more information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding this Notice, VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:30 Oct 29, 2009 Jkt 220001 please contact Heather Evans or Liesl Heeter, National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Telephone (703) 292–4533 or (703) 292–7916. E-mail: humanhealth@nnco.nano.gov. Human Health and Instrumentation and Metrology research are used to guide efforts to improve environmental, health, and safety (EHS) protection with regard to nanoscale engineered materials and to monitor trends and progress. The purpose of this workshop is to engage in an active discussion and learn more about the state-of-the-art in (1) Nanomaterials and Human Health and (2) Instrumentation, Metrology, and Analytical Methods by discussing the state of the science to assess research progress, provide insight into gaps and barriers to progress, identify missing components, and suggest milestones to chart progress and next steps as input to the Federal Government’s effort to adaptively manage its nanoEHS research strategy, and build dialogue and strengthen collaborations. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: M. David Hodge, OSTP, Operations Manager. [FR Doc. E9–26263 Filed 10–29–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY Nanomaterials and the Environment & Instrumentation, Metrology, and Analytical Methods Workshop: Nanotechnology Primer Public Meeting ACTION: Notice of public meeting. SUMMARY: The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO), on behalf of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the Committee on Technology, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), will hold a public meeting on November 16, 2009, on nanotechnology research and development, including environmental, health, and safety concerns. DATES: The Nanotechnology Primer public pre-meeting will be held on Monday November 16, 2009 from 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to provide general background material about nanotechnology and Federal nanotechnology research to participants. ADDRESSES: The Nanotechnology Primer public meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge, 1900 N. Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209 (Metro stop: Rosslyn on the PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Orange and Blue lines). For directions, please see https://www.holidayinn.com. Registration: Due to space limitations, pre-registration for the workshop is required. People interested in attending the workshop and/or the Nanotechnology Primer should register online at https://www.nano.gov/html/ meetings/humanhealth/register.html. Written notices of participation by email should be sent to humanhealth@nnco.nano.gov. Written notices may be mailed to the Environment & IMA Workshop, c/o NNCO, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Stafford II, Suite 405, Arlington, VA 22230. Registration is on a first-come, firstserved basis. Registration will close on November 12, 2009 at 4 p.m. EST. Information about the meeting, including the agenda, is posted at https:// www.nano.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding this Notice, please contact Liesl Heeter, telephone (703) 292–4533, or Heather Evans, telephone (703) 292–7916, National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Email: humanhealth@nnco.nano.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Nanotechnology Primer pre-meeting is to provide general background material about nanotechnology and Federal nanotechnology research and development efforts to interested participants, particularly those attending the November 17–18, 2009 Nanomaterials and Human Health & Instrumentation, Metrology and Analytical Methods workshop. The November 17–18, 2009 workshop is to engage in an active discussion and learn more about the state-of-the-science in these two research areas. The November 16, 2009 Nanotechnology Primer public meeting is open to all interested parties on a space-available basis. M. David Hodge, OSTP, Operations Manager. [FR Doc. E9–26264 Filed 10–29–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549–0213. Extension: Rule 12b–1; SEC File No. 270–188; OMB Control No. 3235–0212. E:\FR\FM\30OCN1.SGM 30OCN1 sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 209 / Friday, October 30, 2009 / Notices 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’’) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for extension of the previously approved collection of information discussed below. Rule 12b–1 (17 CFR 270.12b–1) permits a registered open-end investment company (‘‘mutual fund’’) to distribute its own shares and pay the expenses of distribution out of the mutual fund’s assets provided, among other things, that the mutual fund adopts a written plan (‘‘Rule 12b–1 plan’’) and has in writing any agreements relating to the implementation of the Rule 12b–1 plan. The rule in part requires that (i) the adoption or material amendment of a Rule 12b–1 plan be approved by the mutual fund’s directors and shareholders; (ii) the board review quarterly reports of amounts spent under the Rule 12b–1 plan; and (iii) the board consider continuation of the Rule 12b–1 plan at least annually. Rule 12b– 1 also requires funds relying on the rule to preserve for six years, the first two years in an easily accessible place, copies of the Rule 12b–1 plan, related agreements and reports, as well as minutes of board meetings that describe the factors considered and the basis for adopting or continuing a Rule 12b–1 plan. The board and shareholder approval requirements of Rule 12b–1 are designed to ensure that fund shareholders and directors receive adequate information to evaluate and approve a Rule 12b–1 plan. The requirement of quarterly reporting to the board is designed to ensure that the Rule 12b–1 plan continues to benefit the fund and its shareholders. The recordkeeping requirements of the rule are necessary to enable Commission staff to oversee compliance with the rule. Based on information filed with the Commission by funds, Commission staff estimates that there are approximately 6,871 mutual fund portfolios have at least one share class subject to a Rule 12b–1 plan.1 However, many of these portfolios are part of an affiliated group of funds known as a ‘‘mutual fund family’’ that is overseen by a common board of directors. Although the board must review and approve the Rule 12b– 1 plan for each fund separately, we have allocated the costs and hourly burden related to Rule 12b–1 based on the 1 This estimate is based on information from the Commission’s NSAR database. VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:30 Oct 29, 2009 Jkt 220001 number of fund families that have at least one fund that charges 12b–1 fees, rather than on the total number of mutual fund portfolios that individually have a 12b–1 plan.2 Based on information filed with the Commission, the staff estimates that there are approximately 371 fund families with common boards of directors that have at least one fund with a 12b–1 plan. Based on conversations with fund representatives, Commission staff estimates that for each of the 371 mutual fund families with a portfolio that has a Rule 12b–1 plan, the average annual burden of complying with the rule is 425 hours. This estimate takes into account the time needed to prepare quarterly reports to the board of directors, the board’s consideration of those reports, and the board’s annual consideration of whether to continue the plan.3 We therefore estimate that the total hourly burden per year for all funds to comply with current information collection requirements under Rule 12b–1, is 157,675 hours (371 fund families × 425 hours per fund family = 157,675 hours) over the three year period for which we are requesting approval of the information collection burden). If a currently operating fund seeks to (i) adopt a new Rule 12b–1 plan or (ii) materially increase the amount it spends for distribution under its Rule 12b–1 plan, Rule 12b–1 requires that the fund obtain shareholder approval. As a consequence, the fund will incur the cost of a proxy. Based on conversations with fund industry representatives, Commission staff estimates that approximately three funds per year prepare a proxy in connection with the adoption or material amendment of a Rule 12b–1 plan. The staff further estimates that the cost of each fund’s proxy is $30,000. Thus the total annual cost burden of Rule 12b–1 to the fund industry is $90,000 (3 funds requiring a proxy × $30,000 per proxy). 2 This allocation is based on conversations with fund representatives on how fund boards comply with the requirements of Rule 12b–1. Despite this allocation of hourly burdens and costs, the number of annual responses each year will continue to depend on the number of fund portfolios with 12b– 1 plans rather than the number of fund families with 12b–1 plans. The staff estimates that the number of annual responses per fund portfolio will be four per year (quarterly, with the annual reviews taking place at one of the quarterly intervals). Thus, we estimate that funds will make 27,484 responses (6871 fund portfolios × 4 responses per fund portfolio= 27,484 responses) each year. 3 We do not estimate any costs or time burden related to the recordkeeping requirement, as funds are already required to maintain these records pursuant to other rules, and would keep these records in any case as a matter of business practice. PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 56247 The collections of information required by Rule 12b–1 are necessary to obtain the benefits of the rule. Notices to the Commission will not be kept confidential. 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. Please direct general comments regarding the above information to the following persons: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or send an e-mail to Shagufta Ahmed at Shagufta_Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Charles Boucher, 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. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice. Dated: October 26, 2009. Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E9–26175 Filed 10–29–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549–0213. Extension: Rule 17f–6; SEC File No. 270–392; OMB Control No. 3235–0447. Notice is hereby given that, under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for extension of the previously approved collection of information discussed below. Rule 17f–6 (17 CFR 270.17f–6) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a) permits registered investment companies (‘‘funds’’) to maintain assets (i.e., margin) with futures commission merchants (‘‘FCMs’’) in connection with commodity transactions effected on both domestic and foreign exchanges. Before the rule was adopted, funds generally were required to maintain E:\FR\FM\30OCN1.SGM 30OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 209 (Friday, October 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56246-56247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26175]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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

Extension:
    Rule 12b-1; SEC File No. 270-188; OMB Control No. 3235-0212.


[[Page 56247]]


    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'') has submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget a request for extension of the previously 
approved collection of information discussed below.
    Rule 12b-1 (17 CFR 270.12b-1) permits a registered open-end 
investment company (``mutual fund'') to distribute its own shares and 
pay the expenses of distribution out of the mutual fund's assets 
provided, among other things, that the mutual fund adopts a written 
plan (``Rule 12b-1 plan'') and has in writing any agreements relating 
to the implementation of the Rule 12b-1 plan. The rule in part requires 
that (i) the adoption or material amendment of a Rule 12b-1 plan be 
approved by the mutual fund's directors and shareholders; (ii) the 
board review quarterly reports of amounts spent under the Rule 12b-1 
plan; and (iii) the board consider continuation of the Rule 12b-1 plan 
at least annually. Rule 12b-1 also requires funds relying on the rule 
to preserve for six years, the first two years in an easily accessible 
place, copies of the Rule 12b-1 plan, related agreements and reports, 
as well as minutes of board meetings that describe the factors 
considered and the basis for adopting or continuing a Rule 12b-1 plan.
    The board and shareholder approval requirements of Rule 12b-1 are 
designed to ensure that fund shareholders and directors receive 
adequate information to evaluate and approve a Rule 12b-1 plan. The 
requirement of quarterly reporting to the board is designed to ensure 
that the Rule 12b-1 plan continues to benefit the fund and its 
shareholders. The recordkeeping requirements of the rule are necessary 
to enable Commission staff to oversee compliance with the rule.
    Based on information filed with the Commission by funds, Commission 
staff estimates that there are approximately 6,871 mutual fund 
portfolios have at least one share class subject to a Rule 12b-1 
plan.\1\ However, many of these portfolios are part of an affiliated 
group of funds known as a ``mutual fund family'' that is overseen by a 
common board of directors. Although the board must review and approve 
the Rule 12b-1 plan for each fund separately, we have allocated the 
costs and hourly burden related to Rule 12b-1 based on the number of 
fund families that have at least one fund that charges 12b-1 fees, 
rather than on the total number of mutual fund portfolios that 
individually have a 12b-1 plan.\2\ Based on information filed with the 
Commission, the staff estimates that there are approximately 371 fund 
families with common boards of directors that have at least one fund 
with a 12b-1 plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ This estimate is based on information from the Commission's 
NSAR database.
    \2\ This allocation is based on conversations with fund 
representatives on how fund boards comply with the requirements of 
Rule 12b-1. Despite this allocation of hourly burdens and costs, the 
number of annual responses each year will continue to depend on the 
number of fund portfolios with 12b-1 plans rather than the number of 
fund families with 12b-1 plans. The staff estimates that the number 
of annual responses per fund portfolio will be four per year 
(quarterly, with the annual reviews taking place at one of the 
quarterly intervals). Thus, we estimate that funds will make 27,484 
responses (6871 fund portfolios x 4 responses per fund portfolio= 
27,484 responses) each year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on conversations with fund representatives, Commission staff 
estimates that for each of the 371 mutual fund families with a 
portfolio that has a Rule 12b-1 plan, the average annual burden of 
complying with the rule is 425 hours. This estimate takes into account 
the time needed to prepare quarterly reports to the board of directors, 
the board's consideration of those reports, and the board's annual 
consideration of whether to continue the plan.\3\ We therefore estimate 
that the total hourly burden per year for all funds to comply with 
current information collection requirements under Rule 12b-1, is 
157,675 hours (371 fund families x 425 hours per fund family = 157,675 
hours) over the three year period for which we are requesting approval 
of the information collection burden).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ We do not estimate any costs or time burden related to the 
recordkeeping requirement, as funds are already required to maintain 
these records pursuant to other rules, and would keep these records 
in any case as a matter of business practice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If a currently operating fund seeks to (i) adopt a new Rule 12b-1 
plan or (ii) materially increase the amount it spends for distribution 
under its Rule 12b-1 plan, Rule 12b-1 requires that the fund obtain 
shareholder approval. As a consequence, the fund will incur the cost of 
a proxy. Based on conversations with fund industry representatives, 
Commission staff estimates that approximately three funds per year 
prepare a proxy in connection with the adoption or material amendment 
of a Rule 12b-1 plan. The staff further estimates that the cost of each 
fund's proxy is $30,000. Thus the total annual cost burden of Rule 12b-
1 to the fund industry is $90,000 (3 funds requiring a proxy x $30,000 
per proxy).
    The collections of information required by Rule 12b-1 are necessary 
to obtain the benefits of the rule. Notices to the Commission will not 
be kept confidential. 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.
    Please direct general comments regarding the above information to 
the following persons: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive 
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or send an e-mail to Shagufta 
Ahmed at Shagufta_Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Charles Boucher, 
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. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 
30 days of this notice.

    Dated: October 26, 2009.
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-26175 Filed 10-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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