Self-Regulatory Organizations; Stock Clearing Corporation of Philadelphia; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Regarding Amendments to the By-Laws of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., 25010-25012 [2010-10646]
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25010
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 87 / Thursday, May 6, 2010 / Notices
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NYSEArca–2010–32. 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 Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090 on official
business days between the hours of 10
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will
also be available for inspection and
copying at NYSE Arca’s principal office
and on its Internet Web site at https://
www.nyse.com. 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–
NYSEArca–2010–32 and should be
submitted on or before May 27, 2010.
[Release No. 34–62010; File No. SR–SCCP–
2010–01]
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.8
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–10598 Filed 5–5–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Stock
Clearing Corporation of Philadelphia;
Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change Regarding Amendments to the
By-Laws of The NASDAQ OMX Group,
Inc.
April 30, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’),1 notice is hereby given that on
April 9, 2010, the Stock Clearing
Corporation of Philadelphia (‘‘SCCP’’)
filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
proposed rule change described in Items
I, II, and III below, which items have
been prepared primarily by SCCP. SCCP
filed the proposal pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 2 and Rule
19b–4(f)(6) 3 thereunder so that the
proposal was effective upon filing with
the Commission. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the rule change from
interested parties.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
SCCP is filing the proposed rule
change relating to amendments to the
By-Laws of its parent corporation The
NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (‘‘NASDAQ
OMX’’).4
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
SCCP 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. SCCP has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections (A), (B),
and (C) below, of the most significant
aspects of these statements.5
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
4 Article Eighth, Paragraph B of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of NASDAQ OMX and
Section 11.3 of the By-Laws provides that proposed
amendments to the By-Laws are to be reviewed by
the Board of Directors of each regulatory subsidiary
of NASDAQ OMX and under certain circumstances
be filed with the Commission.
5 The Commission has modified the text of the
summaries prepared by SCCP.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
2 15
8 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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16:53 May 05, 2010
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Sfmt 4703
(A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
NASDAQ OMX has proposed making
certain amendments to its By-Laws to
make improvements in its governance.
In SR–NASDAQ–2010–025, The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘NASDAQ
Exchange’’) sought and received
Commission approval to adopt these ByLaws changes as part of the rules of
NASDAQ Exchange.6 SCCP is now
submitting this filing regarding these
By-Law changes. The text of the changes
to the By-Laws of NASDAQ OMX can be
viewed at https://
nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/
NASDAQOMXPHLX/pdf/sccp-filings/
2010/SR–SCCP–2010–01.pdf.
The NASDAQ OMX By-Laws
previously provided that each director
receiving a plurality of the votes at any
election of directors at which a quorum
was present was duly elected to the
board of directors (‘‘Board’’). Under
Corporate Governance Guidelines
adopted by the Board, however, any
director in an uncontested election who
received a greater number of votes
‘‘withheld’’ from his or her election than
votes ‘‘for’’ such election was required to
tender his or her resignation promptly
following receipt of the certification of
the stockholder vote. The NASDAQ
OMX Nominating & Governance
Committee (‘‘Nominating & Governance
Committee’’) then considered the
resignation offer and recommended to
the Board whether or not to accept it.
Within 90 days after the certification of
the election results, the Board
determined whether to accept or reject
the resignation. Promptly thereafter, the
Board announced its decision by means
of a press release. In a contested election
(i.e., where the number of nominees
exceeded the number of directors to be
elected), the unqualified plurality
standard controlled.
Uncontested Election:
NASDAQ OMX recently amended its
by-laws to adopt a majority vote
standard. Specifically By-Law Article
IV, Section 4.4 was amended to provide
that in an uncontested election,
directors shall be elected by holders of
a majority of the votes cast at any
meeting for the election of directors at
which a quorum is present.7 Under the
majority voting standard, a nominee
6 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61876
(April 8, 2010), 75 FR 19436 (April 14, 2010) (SR–
NASDAQ–2010–025).
7 NASDAQ OMX also amended its Corporate
Governance Guidelines to reflect the majority vote
standard for uncontested director elections.
E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM
06MYN1
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 87 / Thursday, May 6, 2010 / Notices
who fails to receive the requisite vote
will not be duly elected to the Board.
The By-Laws also now require that any
incumbent director nominee, as a
condition to his or her nomination for
reelection to the Board, must submit in
writing an irrevocable resignation, the
effectiveness of which is conditioned
upon the director’s failure to receive the
requisite vote in any uncontested
election and the Board’s acceptance of
the resignation. Acceptance of the
resignation by the Board shall be in
accordance with the policies and
procedures adopted by the Board for
such purpose.
Contested Election:
NASDAQ OMX codified its process
for a contested election. The directors
will continue to be elected by a plurality
vote in a contested election. There is no
change to the process for contested
elections because if a majority voting
standard were to apply in a contested
election, the likelihood of a ‘‘failed
election’’ (i.e., a situation in which no
director receives the requisite vote)
would be more pronounced. Moreover,
the rationale underpinning the majority
voting policy does not apply in
contested elections where stockholders
are offered a choice among competing
candidates. Directors are elected by a
plurality of votes present in person or
represented by proxy at a meeting
convened for that purpose. The
directors who receive the greatest
number of votes cast will be elected.
General Election Requirements:
The following requirements apply to
elections of directors and were not
amended. Each share of common stock
has one vote,8 subject to the voting
limitation in NASDAQ OMX’s
certificate of incorporation that
generally prohibits a holder from voting
in excess of 5% of the total voting
power of NASDAQ OMX.9 In addition,
each note holder is entitled to the
number of votes equal to the number of
shares of common stock into which
such note could be converted on the
record date, subject to the 5% voting
limitation contained in the certificate of
incorporation.
At a meeting to elect directors, the
presence of holders of a majority
(greater than 50%) of NASDAQ OMX
voting securities constitutes a quorum.
Presence may be in-person or by proxy.
Any securities not voted will not impact
the vote.
8 NASDAQ OMX Certificate of Incorporation at
Article IV, C.1(a).
9 NASDAQ OMX Certificate of Incorporation at
Article IV, C.1(b)2.
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16:53 May 05, 2010
Jkt 220001
25011
2. Statutory Basis
SCCP believes that the proposed rule
change is consistent with Section 17A of
the Act,10 as amended, and with Section
17A(b)(3)(A) of the Act,11 in particular,
because it is designed to ensure that
SCCP is so organized and has the
capacity to be able to facilitate the
prompt and accurate clearance and
settlement of securities transactions and
to enforce compliance by its
participants with the rules of the
clearing agency.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
(B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
SCCP does not believe that the
proposed rule change will have any
impact or impose any burden on
competition.
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
(C) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments relating to the
proposed rule change were not and are
not intended to be solicited or received.
SCCP will notify the Commission of any
written comments received by SCCP.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing proposed rule change
has become effective upon filing
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of
the Act 12 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 13
thereunder because the proposed rule
change does not (i) significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) does not impose any
significant burden on competition; and
(iii) by its terms, does not become
operative for 30 days after the date of
filing, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate if consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest. At any time within sixty
days of 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.
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–SCCP–2010–01 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–SCCP–2010–01. 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 web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of 10
am and 3 pm. Copies of such filings also
will be available for inspection and
copying at the principal office of SCCP
and on SCCP’s Web site at https://
nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/
NASDAQOMXPHLX/pdf/sccp-filings/
2010/SR–SCCP–2010–01.pdf.
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–SCCP–2010–01 and should
be submitted on or before May 27, 2010.
10 15
U.S.C. 78q–1.
U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(A).
12 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
11 15
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM
06MYN1
25012
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 87 / Thursday, May 6, 2010 / Notices
For the Commission by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.14
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–10646 Filed 5–5–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
(A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–62011; File No. SR–
BSECC–2010–001]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston
Stock Exchange Clearing Corporation;
Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change Regarding Amendments to the
By-Laws of The NASDAQ OMX Group,
Inc.
April 30, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’),1 notice is hereby given that on
April 9, 2010, the Boston Stock
Exchange Clearing Corporation
(‘‘BSECC’’) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change described in
Items I, II, and III below, which items
have been prepared primarily by
BSECC. BSECC filed the proposal
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of
the Act 2 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 3
thereunder so that the proposal was
effective upon filing with the
Commission. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the rule change from
interested parties.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
BSECC is filing the proposed rule
change relating to amendments to the
By-Laws of its parent corporation The
NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (‘‘NASDAQ
OMX’’).4
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
BSECC included statements concerning
the purpose of and basis for the
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
14 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
4 Article Eighth, Paragraph B of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of NASDAQ OMX and
Section 11.3 of the By-Laws provides that proposed
amendments to the By-Laws are to be reviewed by
the Board of Directors of each regulatory subsidiary
of NASDAQ OMX and under certain circumstances
be filed with the Commission.
1 15
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:53 May 05, 2010
Jkt 220001
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. BSECC has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections (A), (B),
and (C) below, of the most significant
aspects of these statements.5
1. Purpose
NASDAQ OMX has proposed making
certain amendments to its By-Laws to
make improvements in its governance.
In SR–NASDAQ–2010–025, The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘NASDAQ
Exchange’’) sought and received
Commission approval to adopt these ByLaws changes as part of the rules of
NASDAQ Exchange.6 BSECC is now
submitting this filing regarding these
By-Law changes. The text of the changes
to the By-Laws of NASDAQ OMX can be
viewed at https://
nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com/
NASDAQOMXBX/pdf/bsecc-filings/
2010/SR-BSECC-2010-001.pdf.
The NASDAQ OMX By-Laws
previously provided that each director
receiving a plurality of the votes at any
election of directors at which a quorum
was present was duly elected to the
board of directors (‘‘Board’’). Under
Corporate Governance Guidelines
adopted by the Board, however, any
director in an uncontested election who
received a greater number of votes
‘‘withheld’’ from his or her election than
votes ‘‘for’’ such election was required to
tender his or her resignation promptly
following receipt of the certification of
the stockholder vote. The NASDAQ
OMX Nominating & Governance
Committee (‘‘Nominating & Governance
Committee’’) then considered the
resignation offer and recommended to
the Board whether or not to accept it.
Within 90 days after the certification of
the election results, the Board
determined whether to accept or reject
the resignation. Promptly thereafter, the
Board announced its decision by means
of a press release. In a contested election
(i.e., where the number of nominees
exceeded the number of directors to be
elected), the unqualified plurality
standard controlled.
Uncontested Election:
NASDAQ OMX recently amended its
by-laws to adopt a majority vote
5 The Commission has modified the text of the
summaries prepared by BSECC.
6 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61876
(April 8, 2010), 75 FR 19436 (April 14, 2010) (SR–
NASDAQ–2010–025).
PO 00000
Frm 00148
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
standard. Specifically By-Law Article
IV, Section 4.4 was amended to provide
that in an uncontested election,
directors shall be elected by holders of
a majority of the votes cast at any
meeting for the election of directors at
which a quorum is present.7 Under the
majority voting standard, a nominee
who fails to receive the requisite vote
will not be duly elected to the Board.
The By-Laws also now require that any
incumbent director nominee, as a
condition to his or her nomination for
reelection to the Board, must submit in
writing an irrevocable resignation, the
effectiveness of which is conditioned
upon the director’s failure to receive the
requisite vote in any uncontested
election and the Board’s acceptance of
the resignation. Acceptance of the
resignation by the Board shall be in
accordance with the policies and
procedures adopted by the Board for
such purpose.
Contested Election:
NASDAQ OMX codified its process
for a contested election. The directors
will continue to be elected by a plurality
vote in a contested election. There is no
change to the process for contested
elections because if a majority voting
standard were to apply in a contested
election, the likelihood of a ‘‘failed
election’’ (i.e., a situation in which no
director receives the requisite vote)
would be more pronounced. Moreover,
the rationale underpinning the majority
voting policy does not apply in
contested elections where stockholders
are offered a choice among competing
candidates. Directors are elected by a
plurality of votes present in person or
represented by proxy at a meeting
convened for that purpose. The
directors who receive the greatest
number of votes cast will be elected.
General Election Requirements:
The following requirements apply to
elections of directors and were not
amended. Each share of common stock
has one vote,8 subject to the voting
limitation in NASDAQ OMX’s
certificate of incorporation that
generally prohibits a holder from voting
in excess of 5% of the total voting
power of NASDAQ OMX.9 In addition,
each note holder is entitled to the
number of votes equal to the number of
shares of common stock into which
such note could be converted on the
record date, subject to the 5% voting
7 NASDAQ OMX also amended its Corporate
Governance Guidelines to reflect the majority vote
standard for uncontested director elections.
8 NASDAQ OMX Certificate of Incorporation at
Article IV, C.1(a).
9 NASDAQ OMX Certificate of Incorporation at
Article IV, C.1(b)2.
E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM
06MYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 87 (Thursday, May 6, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25010-25012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10646]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-62010; File No. SR-SCCP-2010-01]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Stock Clearing Corporation of
Philadelphia; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Regarding Amendments to the By-Laws of The NASDAQ OMX
Group, Inc.
April 30, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act''),\1\ notice is hereby given that on April 9, 2010, the Stock
Clearing Corporation of Philadelphia (``SCCP'') filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule
change described in Items I, II, and III below, which items have been
prepared primarily by SCCP. SCCP filed the proposal pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \2\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \3\ thereunder so
that the proposal was effective upon filing with the Commission. The
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the rule
change from interested parties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
SCCP is filing the proposed rule change relating to amendments to
the By-Laws of its parent corporation The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
(``NASDAQ OMX'').\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Article Eighth, Paragraph B of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of NASDAQ OMX and Section 11.3 of the By-Laws provides
that proposed amendments to the By-Laws are to be reviewed by the
Board of Directors of each regulatory subsidiary of NASDAQ OMX and
under certain circumstances be filed with the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, SCCP 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. SCCP has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A),
(B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of these
statements.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ The Commission has modified the text of the summaries
prepared by SCCP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
NASDAQ OMX has proposed making certain amendments to its By-Laws to
make improvements in its governance. In SR-NASDAQ-2010-025, The NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ Exchange'') sought and received Commission
approval to adopt these By-Laws changes as part of the rules of NASDAQ
Exchange.\6\ SCCP is now submitting this filing regarding these By-Law
changes. The text of the changes to the By-Laws of NASDAQ OMX can be
viewed at https://nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/NASDAQOMXPHLX/pdf/sccp-filings/2010/SR-SCCP-2010-01.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61876 (April 8, 2010),
75 FR 19436 (April 14, 2010) (SR-NASDAQ-2010-025).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The NASDAQ OMX By-Laws previously provided that each director
receiving a plurality of the votes at any election of directors at
which a quorum was present was duly elected to the board of directors
(``Board''). Under Corporate Governance Guidelines adopted by the
Board, however, any director in an uncontested election who received a
greater number of votes ``withheld'' from his or her election than
votes ``for'' such election was required to tender his or her
resignation promptly following receipt of the certification of the
stockholder vote. The NASDAQ OMX Nominating & Governance Committee
(``Nominating & Governance Committee'') then considered the resignation
offer and recommended to the Board whether or not to accept it. Within
90 days after the certification of the election results, the Board
determined whether to accept or reject the resignation. Promptly
thereafter, the Board announced its decision by means of a press
release. In a contested election (i.e., where the number of nominees
exceeded the number of directors to be elected), the unqualified
plurality standard controlled.
Uncontested Election:
NASDAQ OMX recently amended its by-laws to adopt a majority vote
standard. Specifically By-Law Article IV, Section 4.4 was amended to
provide that in an uncontested election, directors shall be elected by
holders of a majority of the votes cast at any meeting for the election
of directors at which a quorum is present.\7\ Under the majority voting
standard, a nominee
[[Page 25011]]
who fails to receive the requisite vote will not be duly elected to the
Board. The By-Laws also now require that any incumbent director
nominee, as a condition to his or her nomination for reelection to the
Board, must submit in writing an irrevocable resignation, the
effectiveness of which is conditioned upon the director's failure to
receive the requisite vote in any uncontested election and the Board's
acceptance of the resignation. Acceptance of the resignation by the
Board shall be in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted
by the Board for such purpose.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ NASDAQ OMX also amended its Corporate Governance Guidelines
to reflect the majority vote standard for uncontested director
elections.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contested Election:
NASDAQ OMX codified its process for a contested election. The
directors will continue to be elected by a plurality vote in a
contested election. There is no change to the process for contested
elections because if a majority voting standard were to apply in a
contested election, the likelihood of a ``failed election'' (i.e., a
situation in which no director receives the requisite vote) would be
more pronounced. Moreover, the rationale underpinning the majority
voting policy does not apply in contested elections where stockholders
are offered a choice among competing candidates. Directors are elected
by a plurality of votes present in person or represented by proxy at a
meeting convened for that purpose. The directors who receive the
greatest number of votes cast will be elected.
General Election Requirements:
The following requirements apply to elections of directors and were
not amended. Each share of common stock has one vote,\8\ subject to the
voting limitation in NASDAQ OMX's certificate of incorporation that
generally prohibits a holder from voting in excess of 5% of the total
voting power of NASDAQ OMX.\9\ In addition, each note holder is
entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of common
stock into which such note could be converted on the record date,
subject to the 5% voting limitation contained in the certificate of
incorporation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ NASDAQ OMX Certificate of Incorporation at Article IV,
C.1(a).
\9\ NASDAQ OMX Certificate of Incorporation at Article IV,
C.1(b)2.
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At a meeting to elect directors, the presence of holders of a
majority (greater than 50%) of NASDAQ OMX voting securities constitutes
a quorum. Presence may be in-person or by proxy. Any securities not
voted will not impact the vote.
2. Statutory Basis
SCCP believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 17A of the Act,\10\ as amended, and with Section 17A(b)(3)(A)
of the Act,\11\ in particular, because it is designed to ensure that
SCCP is so organized and has the capacity to be able to facilitate the
prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions
and to enforce compliance by its participants with the rules of the
clearing agency.
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(A).
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(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
SCCP does not believe that the proposed rule change will have any
impact or impose any burden on competition.
(C) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments relating to the proposed rule change were not and
are not intended to be solicited or received. SCCP will notify the
Commission of any written comments received by SCCP.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing proposed rule change has become effective upon filing
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \12\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) \13\ thereunder because the proposed rule change does not (i)
significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) does not impose any significant burden on competition;
and (iii) by its terms, does not become operative for 30 days after the
date of filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. At
any time within sixty days of 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.
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\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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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-SCCP-2010-01 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Elizabeth
M. Murphy, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-SCCP-2010-01. 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 web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10
am and 3 pm. Copies of such filings also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal office of SCCP and on SCCP's
Web site at https://nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/NASDAQOMXPHLX/pdf/sccp-filings/2010/SR-SCCP-2010-01.pdf.
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-SCCP-2010-01
and should be submitted on or before May 27, 2010.
[[Page 25012]]
For the Commission by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\14\
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\14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-10646 Filed 5-5-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P