Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Adopting Investigation, Disciplinary, Sanction, and Other Procedural Rules That Are Modeled on the Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and To Make Certain Conforming and Technical Changes, 5213-5236 [2013-01375]

Agencies

• SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5213-5236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01375]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-68678; File No. SR-NYSE-2013-02]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; 
Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Adopting Investigation, 
Disciplinary, Sanction, and Other Procedural Rules That Are Modeled on 
the Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and To Make 
Certain Conforming and Technical Changes

January 16, 2013.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby 
given that, on January 4, 2013, New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' 
or the ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, 
II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-
regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to adopt investigation, disciplinary, 
sanction, and other procedural rules that are modeled on the rules of 
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'') and to make 
certain conforming and technical changes. The text of the proposed rule 
change is available on the Exchange's Web site at www.nyse.com, at the 
principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public 
Reference Room.

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 self-regulatory organization 
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 those statements may be examined at 
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared 
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most 
significant parts of such statements.

[[Page 5214]]

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to adopt investigation, disciplinary, 
sanction, and other procedural rules that are modeled on the rules of 
FINRA and to make certain conforming and technical changes.

Background and General Description of Proposed Rule Change

    On July 30, 2007, the National Association of Securities Dealers, 
Inc. (``NASD''), the Exchange, and NYSE Regulation, Inc. (``NYSER'') 
consolidated their member firm regulation operations into a combined 
organization, FINRA, and entered into a plan to allocate to FINRA 
regulatory responsibility for common rules and common members (``17d-2 
Agreement'').\4\ The 17d-2 Agreement was entered into in accordance 
with the requirements of Rule 17d-2 of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission''),\5\ which permits self-
regulatory organizations (``SROs'') to allocate regulatory 
responsibilities with respect to common members and common rules. In 
2007, the parties also entered into a Regulatory Services Agreement 
(``RSA''), whereby FINRA was retained to perform certain regulatory 
services on behalf of NYSER for non-common rules. On June 14, 2010, the 
Exchange, NYSER, and FINRA amended the RSA and retained FINRA to 
perform the market surveillance and enforcement functions that had 
previously been performed by NYSER up to that point.\6\ Accordingly, 
since June 14, 2010, FINRA has been performing all enforcement-related 
regulatory services on behalf of NYSER, including disciplinary 
proceedings relating to NYSE-only rules or against both dual members 
and non-FINRA members.
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56148 (July 26, 
2007), 72 FR 42146 (August 1, 2007) (File No. 4-544) (Notice of 
Filing and Order Approving and Declaring Effective a Plan for the 
Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities).
    \5\ 17 CFR 240.17d-2.
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62355 (June 22, 
2010), 75 FR 36729 (June 28, 2010) (SR-NYSE-2010-46).
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    To facilitate FINRA's performance of these enforcement functions 
under the RSA and to further harmonize the rules of FINRA and NYSE 
generally, NYSE is proposing to adopt the text of the FINRA Rule 8000 
Series and Rule 9000 Series, which set [sic] forth rules for conducting 
investigations and enforcement actions, with certain modifications that 
are described below.
    The Exchange notes that most of its member organizations are 
members of FINRA and as such are already subject to the FINRA Rule 8000 
Series and Rule 9000 Series. Those member organizations that are not 
members of FINRA are members of The NASDAQ Stock Market (``NASDAQ''), 
which has similar disciplinary rules to FINRA and thus are also already 
subject to such rules. Thus, all Exchange members, by virtue of their 
membership either in FINRA or NASDAQ, are already subject to the FINRA 
rules described herein.\7\
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    \7\ For that reason, the Exchange has included in this filing a 
general description of current FINRA rules because its members are 
already subject to and expected to be familiar with them. The 
Exchange describes in more detail how its proposed rules would 
differ from FINRA rules and the Exchange's current rules. To further 
highlight the precise difference between certain of the Exchange's 
proposed rules and FINRA's current rules, the Exchange has attached 
as Exhibit 3 a blackline comparing the FINRA Rule 8000-9000 Series 
as of December 31, 2012 against the Exchange's proposed Rule 8000-
9000 Series. The Exchange notes that FINRA has received approval 
for, but not yet implemented, certain changes to its rules (for 
example, SR-FINRA-2009-060, which amends FINRA Rule 8210) or may 
propose further changes to its rules in the future. The Exchange 
will review each such rule change and determine if a conforming 
amendment should be made to the NYSE rules.
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Current NYSE Rules 475-477

    This section sets forth a summary of NYSE's current disciplinary 
rules.\8\ These rules include NYSE Rule 475, which describes summary 
disciplinary proceedings; NYSE Rule 476, which describes initial 
disciplinary proceedings and appeals; NYSE Rule 476A, which addresses 
the imposition of minor rule violation sanctions; and NYSE Rule 477, 
which addresses retention of jurisdiction by the Exchange.
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    \8\ Where current or proposed NYSE rules or FINRA rules use 
capitalized terms, descriptions of such rules herein follow those 
capitalization conventions.
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Current NYSE Rule 475--Summary Proceedings
    NYSE Rule 475 sets forth summary procedures under which the 
Exchange may prohibit or limit access to services. Under Rule 475(a), 
except as otherwise provided in Rule 475(b), the Exchange may not 
prohibit or limit any person with respect to access to services offered 
by the Exchange or any member or member organization thereof unless the 
Exchange has provided 15 days' prior written notice of, and an 
opportunity to be heard upon, the specific grounds for such prohibition 
or limitation. The Exchange must keep a record of any such proceeding. 
Any determination by the Exchange to prohibit or limit access to 
services must be supported by a statement setting forth the specific 
grounds for the prohibition or limitation.
    Under NYSE Rule 475(b), the Exchange may summarily suspend persons 
subject to its jurisdiction that have been expelled or suspended by 
another SRO, or barred or suspended from being associated with a member 
or any such SRO, as long as any such summary suspension imposed by the 
Exchange does not exceed the termination of the suspension imposed by 
the other SRO. The Exchange also may suspend a member or member 
organization that is in such financial or operating difficulty that the 
Exchange determines, and so notifies the SEC, that the member or member 
organization cannot be permitted to continue to do business with safety 
to investors, creditors, other members or member organizations, or the 
Exchange. The Exchange also may limit or prohibit any person with 
respect to access to Exchange services if such person has been 
summarily suspended under this rule or, in the case of a person who is 
not a member or member organization, if the Exchange determines that 
such person does not meet the qualification requirements or other 
prerequisites for such access and such person cannot be permitted to 
continue to have such access with safety to investors, creditors, 
members, member organizations, or the Exchange.
    Any person subject to summary action must receive written notice 
and an opportunity to be heard by the Exchange upon the specific 
grounds for the action, and the Exchange must keep a record of any 
summary proceeding. Any determination by the Exchange with respect to 
such summary action must be supported by a statement setting forth the 
specific grounds on which the summary action is based. The Commission, 
by order, may stay any such summary action in accordance with the 
provisions of the Act.
    NYSE Rule 475(c) governs hearings and proceedings pursuant to Rule 
475(a) and (b). Hearings are conducted by a Hearing Officer, appointed 
by the Exchange Board of Directors, acting alone. The Hearing Officer 
schedules and conducts hearings promptly and, in doing so, provides 
such discovery to the person whose access or suspension is the subject 
of such a hearing and to the Exchange officers and employees. The 
Hearing Officer renders determinations based upon the record at such 
hearings. The Hearing Officer may modify, reverse, or terminate a 
summary action, unless within 10 days of such

[[Page 5215]]

determination, a request for review is filed with the Secretary of the 
Exchange. Any member of the Exchange Board of Directors, any member of 
the committee of NYSER to which is delegated the authority to review 
disciplinary decisions on behalf of the Exchange Board of Directors 
(``NYSER Committee For Review''), and any Executive Floor Governor and 
either the Division of the Exchange initiating the proceedings or the 
respondent may require a review by the Exchange Board of Directors of 
any determination by the Hearing Officer. The Exchange Board of 
Directors may affirm, modify, or reverse any such determination, or 
remand the matter to the Hearing Officer for further proceedings.
    Under NYSE Rule 475(d), whenever a member or member organization 
fails to perform its contracts, becomes insolvent, or is in such 
financial or operating difficulty that it cannot be permitted to 
continue to do business as a member or member organization with safety 
to investors, creditors, other members or member organizations, or the 
Exchange, such member or member organization must promptly give written 
notice thereof to the Secretary of the Exchange.
    Under NYSE Rule 475(e), any person suspended under the provisions 
of the rule must, at the request of the Exchange, submit to the 
Exchange its books and records or the books and records of any employee 
thereof and furnish information to or to appear or testify before or 
cause any such employee to appear or testify before the Exchange.
    Under NYSE Rule 475(f), any person suspended under Rule 475 may, at 
any time, be reinstated by the Exchange Board of Directors.
    Under NYSE Rule 475(g), any person suspended under Rule 475 may be 
disciplined in accordance with the Exchange's rules for any offense 
committed before or after the suspension.
    Under NYSE Rule 475(h), a member suspended under Rule 475 is 
deprived during the term of the suspension of all rights and privileges 
of membership, and any suspension of a member or allied member creates 
a vacancy in any office or position held by such member or allied 
member.
    Under NYSE Rule 475(i), the limitations on the Chief Executive 
Officer (``CEO'') of the Exchange contained in NYSE Rule 476(l) that 
prohibit the CEO from initiating a call for review apply to all matters 
under NYSE Rule 475.
    Under NYSE Rule 475(j), any member of the Exchange Board of 
Directors, any member of the NYSER Committee for Review, any Executive 
Floor Governor, the Division of the Exchange initiating the 
proceedings, and the respondent may require a review by the Exchange 
Board of Directors of any determination under Rule 475 by filing with 
the Secretary of the Exchange a written request thereof within 10 days 
following such determination. The Exchange Board of Directors shall 
have the power to affirm, modify, or reverse any such determination, or 
remand the matter for further proceedings.
Current Rule 476--Disciplinary Proceedings
    NYSE Rule 476 governs disciplinary proceedings involving charges 
against members, member organizations, principal executives, approved 
persons, employees, or others subject to the Exchange's jurisdiction. 
Under NYSE Rule 476(a), if such a person is adjudged guilty of certain 
offenses in a proceeding under NYSE Rule 476, then a Hearing Panel or 
Hearing Officer may impose disciplinary sanctions on such person, 
including expulsion; suspension; limitation as to activities, 
functions, and operations, including the suspension or cancellation of 
a registration in, or assignment of, one or more stocks; fine; censure; 
suspension or bar from being associated with any member or member 
organization; or any other fitting sanction. The list of offenses under 
NYSE Rule 476(a)(1)-(11) includes, for example, violating an Exchange 
rule or the Act, making a material misstatement, or engaging in 
manipulation.
    NYSE Rule 476(b) describes the role of Hearing Panels and Hearing 
Officers. Under NYSE Rule 476(b), all proceedings under NYSE Rule 476, 
except for matters resolved by a Hearing Officer when authorized by the 
rule, are conducted at a hearing in accordance with the Rule and held 
before a Hearing Panel consisting of at least three persons of 
integrity and judgment: A Hearing Officer, who chairs the Hearing 
Panel, and at least two members of the Hearing Board, at least one of 
whom must be engaged in securities activities differing from that of 
the respondent or, if retired, was so engaged in differing activities 
at the time of retirement. In any disciplinary proceeding involving 
activities on the Floor of the Exchange, no more than one of the 
persons serving on the Hearing Panel may be, or if retired, may have 
been, active on the Floor of the Exchange. A Hearing Panel may include 
only one retired person.
    The Chairman of the Exchange Board of Directors (``Chairman''), 
subject to the approval of the Exchange Board of Directors, from time 
to time appoints a Hearing Board to be composed of persons of integrity 
and judgment who are members and allied members of the Exchange who are 
not members of the Exchange Board of Directors, and registered and non-
registered employees of members and member organizations, and such 
other persons as the Chairman deems necessary. Former members, allied 
members, or registered and non-registered employees of members and 
member organizations who have retired from the securities industry may 
be appointed to the Hearing Board within five years of their 
retirement. The members of the Hearing Board are appointed annually and 
serve at the pleasure of the Exchange Board of Directors.
    The Chairman, subject to the approval of the Exchange Board of 
Directors, annually designates a Chief Hearing Officer and one or more 
other Hearing Officers who have [sic] no Exchange duties or functions 
relating to the investigation or preparation of disciplinary matters. 
Hearing Officers serve at the pleasure of the Exchange Board of 
Directors. An individual cannot be a Hearing Officer (including the 
Chief Hearing Officer) if he or she is, or within the last three years 
was, a member, allied member, or registered or non-registered employee 
of a member or member organization.
    Under the rule, the decision of a majority of the Hearing Panel is 
the decision of the Hearing Panel and is final and conclusive, unless a 
request to the Exchange Board of Directors for review is filed.
    NYSE Rule 476(c) governs procedural matters and the conduct of the 
hearing. Under NYSE Rule 476(c), upon application to the Chief Hearing 
Officer by either party to a proceeding, the Chief Hearing Officer, or 
any Hearing Officer designated by the Chief Hearing Officer, resolves 
any and all procedural and evidentiary matters and substantive legal 
motions, and may require the Exchange to permit the respondent to 
inspect and copy documents or records in the possession of the Exchange 
that are material to the preparation of the defense or are intended for 
use by the Division of the Exchange initiating the proceeding as 
evidence in chief at the hearing. The respondent may be required to 
provide discovery of non-privileged documents and records to the 
Exchange. The rule does not authorize the discovery or inspection of 
reports, memoranda, or other internal Exchange documents prepared by 
the Exchange in connection with the proceeding. There is no 
interlocutory appeal to the Exchange Board of Directors of any

[[Page 5216]]

determination as to which this provision applies.
    NYSE Rule 476(d) governs Charge Memorandums, Answers, and motions. 
Under NYSE Rule 476(d), except as otherwise provided in NYSE Rule 
476(g), which governs Stipulations and Consents, the specific charges 
against the respondent must be in the form of a written statement (a 
``Charge Memorandum'') and signed by an authorized officer or employee 
of the Exchange on behalf of the Division of the Exchange bringing the 
charges. A copy of such Charge Memorandum must be filed with the 
Hearing Board at the same time it is served upon the respondent. 
Service is deemed effective by personal service of such Charge 
Memorandum, or by leaving the same either at the respondent's last 
known office address during business hours or respondent's last place 
of residence as reflected in Exchange records, or upon mailing same to 
the respondent at such office address or place of residence. The 
Hearing Board assumes jurisdiction upon receipt of the Charge 
Memorandum.
    A written Answer to the Charge Memorandum must be filed not later 
than 25 days from the date of service or within such longer period of 
time as the Hearing Officer may deem proper. The Answer must be signed 
by or on behalf of the respondent and filed with the Hearing Board, 
with a copy served on the Division of the Exchange bringing the 
charges. The Answer must indicate specifically which assertions of fact 
and charges in the Charge Memorandum are denied and which are admitted, 
and also contain any specific facts in contradiction of the charges and 
any affirmative defenses. A general denial is insufficient. Any 
assertions of fact not specifically denied in the Answer may be deemed 
admitted and failure to file an Answer may be deemed an admission of 
any facts asserted in the Charge Memorandum.
    The Hearing Board sets a schedule for the filing of motions and 
establishes hearing dates. If the respondent has failed to file an 
Answer, the Division of the Exchange bringing the charges, by motion, 
accompanied by proof of notice to the respondent, may request a 
determination of guilt by default, and may recommend a penalty to be 
imposed. If the respondent opposes the motion, the Hearing Officer, on 
a determination that the respondent had adequate reason to fail to file 
an Answer, may adjourn the hearing date and direct the respondent to 
promptly file an Answer. If the default motion is unopposed, or the 
respondent did not have adequate reason to fail to file an Answer, or 
the respondent failed to file an Answer after being given an 
opportunity to do so, the Hearing Officer, on a determination that the 
respondent has had notice of the charges and that the Exchange has 
jurisdiction in the matter, may find guilt and determine a penalty.
    Notice of the hearing is served upon the Division of the Exchange 
and the respondent. The respondent is entitled to be personally 
present. The Hearing Officer determines the specific facts at issue, 
and with respect to those facts only, both the Division of the Exchange 
bringing the charges and the respondent may produce witnesses and any 
other evidence and they may examine and cross-examine any witnesses so 
produced. After hearing all the witnesses and considering all the 
evidence, the Hearing Panel determines whether the respondent is guilty 
of the charges, and if so, may impose a penalty.
    NYSE Rule 476(e) concerns the hearing record and time for appeal. 
Under Rule 476(e), the Exchange must keep a record of any hearing 
conducted and a written notice of the result served upon the respondent 
and the Division of the Exchange that brought the charges.
    The determination of the Hearing Panel, or of the Hearing Officer 
on a determination of default, and any penalty imposed, is final and 
conclusive 25 days after notice has been served upon the respondent, 
unless a request to the Exchange Board of Directors for review of such 
determination and/or penalty is filed, in which case any penalty 
imposed is stayed pending the outcome of such review.
    NYSE Rule 476(f) concerns appeals to the Exchange Board of 
Directors. Under NYSE Rule 476(f), the Division of the Exchange that 
brought the charges, the respondent, and any member of the Exchange 
Board of Directors, any member of the NYSER Committee for Review, and 
any Executive Floor Governor may require a review by the Exchange Board 
of Directors of any determination or penalty, or both, imposed by a 
Hearing Panel or Hearing Officer. A written request for review must be 
filed with the Secretary of the Exchange within 25 days after notice of 
the determination and/or penalty is served upon the respondent. The 
Secretary of the Exchange gives notice of any such request for review 
to the Division of the Exchange that brought the charges and any 
respondent affected thereby.
    Any review by the Exchange Board of Directors is based on oral 
arguments and written briefs and is limited to consideration of the 
record before the Hearing Panel or Hearing Officer. Upon review, the 
Exchange Board of Directors, by majority vote, may sustain any 
determination or penalty imposed, or both; may modify or reverse any 
such determination; and may increase, decrease or eliminate any such 
penalty, or impose any penalty permitted under the provisions of this 
rule, as it deems appropriate. Unless the Exchange Board of Directors 
otherwise specifically directs, the determination and penalty, if any, 
of the Exchange Board of Directors after review is final and 
conclusive, subject to the provisions for review under the Act.
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either party upon review applies 
to the Exchange Board of Directors for leave to adduce additional 
evidence, and shows to the satisfaction of the Exchange Board of 
Directors that the additional evidence is material and that there was 
reasonable ground [sic] for failure to adduce it before the Hearing 
Panel or Hearing Officer, the Exchange Board of Directors may remand 
the case for further proceedings, in whatever manner and on whatever 
conditions the Exchange Board of Directors considers appropriate.
    NYSE Rule 476(g) sets forth an alternative Stipulation and Consent 
procedure that may be used in lieu of the procedures set forth in NYSE 
Rule 476(d). Under NYSE Rule 476(g), a Hearing Officer acting alone may 
determine whether a person subject to the Exchange's jurisdiction has 
committed an offense on the basis of a written Stipulation and Consent 
entered into between the respondent and any authorized officer or 
employee of the Exchange. Any such Stipulation and Consent must contain 
a stipulation with respect to the facts, or the basis for findings of 
fact by the Hearing Officer; a consent to findings of fact by the 
Hearing Officer, including a finding that a specified offense had been 
committed; and a consent to the imposition of a specified penalty.
    A Hearing Officer must convene a Hearing Panel if the Hearing 
Officer requires clarification or further information on the 
Stipulation and Consent, or if either party requests a hearing before a 
Hearing Panel. A Hearing Officer, acting alone, may not reject a 
Stipulation and Consent, but must convene a Hearing Panel to consider 
such action.
    Notice of any hearing held for the purpose of considering a 
Stipulation and Consent is served upon the respondent as provided in 
NYSE Rule 476(d). In any such hearing, if the Hearing Panel determines 
that the respondent has committed an offense, it

[[Page 5217]]

may impose the penalty agreed to in such Stipulation and Consent. In 
addition, a Hearing Panel may reject such Stipulation and Consent.
    Such rejection does not preclude the parties to the proceeding from 
entering into a modified Stipulation and Consent or preclude the 
Exchange from bringing or presenting the same or different charges to a 
Hearing Panel in accordance with NYSE Rule 476(d). The Exchange must 
keep a record of any hearing conducted under this Rule and a written 
notice of the result setting forth the requirements contained in 
Section 6(d)(1) of the Act must be served on the parties to the 
proceeding.
    The determination of the Hearing Panel or Hearing Officer and any 
penalty imposed are final and conclusive 25 days after notice thereof 
has been served upon the respondent, unless a request to the Exchange 
Board of Directors for review of such determination and/or penalty is 
filed, in which case any penalty imposed is stayed pending the outcome 
of such review.
    Any member of the Exchange Board of Directors, any member of the 
NYSER Committee for Review, and any Executive Floor Governor may 
require a review by the Exchange Board of Directors of any 
determination or penalty, or both, imposed by a Hearing Panel or 
Hearing Officer in connection with a Stipulation and Consent. The 
respondent or the Division that entered into the Stipulation and 
Consent may require a review by the Exchange Board of Directors of any 
rejection of such Stipulation and Consent by the Hearing Panel. A 
written request for review must be filed with the Secretary of the 
Exchange within 25 days after notice of the determination and/or 
penalty is served on the respondent. The Secretary of the Exchange 
gives notice of any such request for review to the Division of the 
Exchange involved in the proceeding and any respondent affected 
thereby.
    Any review by the Exchange Board of Directors consists of oral 
arguments and written briefs and is limited to consideration of the 
record before the Hearing Panel or Hearing Officer. Upon review, the 
Exchange Board of Directors, by majority vote, may fix and impose the 
penalty agreed to in such Stipulation and Consent or any penalty that 
is less severe than the stipulated penalty, or may remand for further 
proceedings. Unless the Exchange Board of Directors otherwise 
specifically directs, the determination and penalty, if any, of the 
Exchange Board of Directors after review is final and conclusive, 
subject to the provisions for review under the Act.
    NYSE Rule 476(h) concerns legal representation. Under the rule, a 
person subject to the Exchange's jurisdiction has the right to be 
represented by legal counsel or other representative in any hearing or 
review held under Rule 476 and in any investigation before any 
committee, officer, or employee of the Exchange. A Hearing Officer may 
impose a fine or any other appropriate sanction on any party or the 
party's representative for improper conduct in connection with a matter 
before the Hearing Board, and may, if appropriate, exclude any 
participant, including any party, witness, attorney or representative 
from a hearing on the basis of such conduct.
    Under NYSE Rule 476(i), a member or allied member of the Exchange 
who is associated with a member organization is liable to the same 
discipline and penalties for any act or omission of such member 
organization as for the member or allied member's own personal act or 
omission. The Hearing Panel that considers the charges against such 
member, or allied member, or the Exchange Board of Directors upon any 
review thereof, may relieve him from the penalty therefor or may remit 
or reduce such penalty on such terms and conditions as the Hearing 
Panel or the Exchange Board of Directors deems fair and equitable.
    NYSE Rule 476(j) governs suspensions. When a member is suspended 
under Rule 476, such member is deprived during the term of the member's 
suspension of all rights and privileges of membership. The expulsion of 
a member terminates all membership rights and privileges.
    NYSE Rule 476(k) addresses non-payment of fines and other sums due 
to the Exchange. Under this rule, if any approved person or registered 
or non-registered employee fails to pay any fine within 45 days after 
the same is payable, such individual may, after written notice mailed 
to such individual at either the member's office or last place of 
residence as reflected in Exchange records, be summarily suspended from 
association in any capacity with a member organization or have the 
member's approval withdrawn until such fine is paid. The rule further 
provides that any member, member organization or allied member that 
fails to pay a fine or any other sums due to the Exchange within 45 
days is reported by the Exchange Treasurer to the Chairman of the 
Exchange Board of Directors and, after written notice mailed to such 
member, member organization or allied member of such arrearages, may be 
suspended by the Exchange Board of Directors until payment is made. An 
individual or organization may be proceeded against for any offense 
other than that for which such individual or organization was 
suspended. In addition, the suspension or expulsion of a member or 
allied member under the provisions of this rule creates a vacancy in 
any office or position held by the member or allied member. Similarly, 
current NYSE Rule 309 provides that any member, member organization or 
allied member that fails to pay a fee or any other sums due to the 
Exchange (excluding a fine) with 45 days after the same are payable 
shall be reported to the Chief Financial Officer of the Exchange or 
[sic] designee who, after notice has been given to such member, member 
organization or allied member of such arrearages, may suspend access to 
some or all of the facilities of the Exchange until payment is made. 
Written suspension notices under both NYSE Rules 309 and 476(k) are 
immediately effective upon such notice and the rules provide no further 
process; upon payment of the fine or amount due, the suspension is 
lifted.
    Under NYSE Rule 476(l), the CEO may not require a review by the 
Exchange Board of Directors under Rule 476 and is recused from 
deliberations and actions of the Board with respect to such matters.
Current NYSE Rule 476A--Imposition of Fines for Minor Violations of 
Rules
    Under NYSE Rule 476A(a), in lieu of commencing a disciplinary 
proceeding under NYSE Rule 476, the Exchange may impose a fine not to 
exceed $5,000 on any member, member organization, principal executive, 
approved person, or registered or non-registered employee of a member 
or member organization for the rules listed in NYSE Rule 476A. Any fine 
imposed pursuant to this rule and not contested is not publicly 
reported, except as may be required by SEC Rule 19d-1 and as may be 
required by any other regulatory authority.
    Under NYSE Rule 476A(b), the person against whom a minor rule 
violation fine is imposed is served with a written statement, signed by 
an authorized officer or employee of the Exchange on behalf of the 
Division or Department of the Exchange taking the action, setting forth 
(i) the rule or rules alleged to have been violated; (ii) the act or 
omission constituting each such violation; (iii) the fine imposed for 
each such violation; and (iv) the date by which such determination 
becomes final and such fine becomes due and payable to the Exchange, or 
such determination must be contested as provided in NYSE Rule 476A(d). 
Such date may not be less than

[[Page 5218]]

25 days after the date of service of the written statement.
    Under NYSE Rule 476A(c), if the person against whom a minor rule 
violation fine is imposed pays the fine, such payment is deemed to be a 
waiver by such person of such person's right to a disciplinary 
proceeding under NYSE Rule 476 and any review of the matter by a 
Hearing Panel or the Exchange Board of Directors.
    Under NYSE Rule 476A(d), any person against whom a minor rule 
violation is imposed may contest the Exchange's determination by timely 
filing a written response meeting the requirements of an answer as 
provided in NYSE Rule 476(d), at which point the matter becomes a 
disciplinary proceeding subject to the provisions of NYSE Rule 476. In 
any such disciplinary proceeding, if the Hearing Panel determines that 
the person is guilty of the rule violation(s) charged, the Hearing 
Panel is free to impose any one or more of the disciplinary sanctions 
provided in NYSE Rule 476 and determine whether the rule violation(s) 
is minor in nature. NYSER, the person charged, any member of the 
Exchange Board of Directors, any member of the NYSER Committee for 
Review, and any Executive Floor Governor may require a review by the 
Board of any determination by the Hearing Panel by proceeding in the 
manner described in NYSE Rule 476(f).
    Under NYSE Rule 476A(e), the Exchange must prepare and announce to 
its members and member organizations from time to time a listing of the 
Exchange rules as to which the Exchange may impose minor rule violation 
fines. Such listing also indicates the specific dollar amount that may 
be imposed as a fine or may indicate the minimum and maximum dollar 
amounts that may be imposed by the Exchange with respect to any such 
violation. The Exchange is free, whenever it determines that any 
violation is not minor in nature, to proceed under NYSE Rule 476 rather 
than under NYSE Rule 476A.
    The remainder of NYSE Rule 476A sets forth the list of rule 
violations that may be treated as minor rule violations and fines, 
which may not exceed $5,000.
Current NYSE Rule 477--Retention of Jurisdiction and Failure To 
Cooperate
    Under NYSE Rule 477(a), if, prior to termination, or during the 
period of one year immediately following the receipt by the Exchange of 
written notice of the termination, of a person's status as a member, 
member organization, principal executive, approved person, or 
registered or non-registered employee of a member or member 
organization, the Exchange serves (as provided in NYSE Rule 476(d)) a 
written notice on such person that it is making inquiry into, or serves 
a Charge Memorandum on such person with respect to, any matter or 
matters occurring prior to the termination of such person's status, the 
Exchange may thereafter require such person to comply with any requests 
of the Exchange to appear, testify, submit books, records, papers, or 
tangible objects, respond to written requests and attend hearings in 
every respect in conformance with the Rules of the Exchange in the same 
manner and to the same extent as if such person had remained a member, 
member organization, principal executive, approved person, or 
registered or non-registered employee of a member or member 
organization.
    Under NYSE Rule 477(b), prior to termination, or during the period 
of one year immediately following the receipt by the Exchange of 
written notice of the termination of a person's status as a member, 
member organization, principal executive, approved person, or 
registered or non-registered employee of a member or member 
organization, the Exchange may, through the exercise of its 
jurisdiction, as described in NYSE Rule 477(a) above, require such 
person to comply with any requests of an organization or association 
included in NYSE Rule 476(a)(11) to appear, testify, submit books, 
records, papers, or tangible objects, respond to written requests and 
attend hearings in every respect in conformance with the Exchange rules 
in the same manner and to the same extent as if such person had 
remained a member, member organization, principal executive, approved 
person, or registered or non-registered employee of a member or member 
organization with respect to any matter or matters occurring prior to 
the termination of such person's status.
    Under NYSE Rule 477(c), if a former member, member organization, 
principal executive, approved person, or registered or non-registered 
employee of a member or member organization, provided such notice or 
Charge Memorandum is or has been served, is adjudged guilty in a 
proceeding under NYSE Rule 476 of having refused or failed to comply 
with any such requirement, such person may be barred permanently, or 
for such period of time as may be determined, or until such time as the 
Exchange has completed its investigation into the matter or matters 
specified in such notice or Charge Memorandum, has determined a 
penalty, if any, to be imposed, and until the penalty, if any, has been 
carried out.
    Under NYSE Rule 477(d), following the termination of a person's 
status as a member, member organization, principal executive, approved 
person, or registered or non-registered employee of a member or member 
organization, provided such notice or Charge Memorandum is or has been 
served, such person may also be charged with having committed, prior to 
termination, any other offense with which such person might have been 
charged had such status not been terminated. Any such charges shall be 
brought and determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in 
NYSE Rule 476.

Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to adopt many of FINRA's rules that are set 
forth in FINRA Rule 8000 and 9000 Series with no modification \9\ or 
with conforming and technical changes as described below. However, in 
certain key respects, the proposed NYSE rules would continue to differ 
from FINRA's rules. Specifically, as described in more detail below, 
NYSE proposes to (1) establish processes for settling disciplinary 
matters both before and after the issuance of a complaint that differ 
both from NYSE's current Stipulation and Consent process and FINRA's 
current settlement processes; (2) retain the NYSE selection process for 
Hearing Panelists, rather than use FINRA's Panelists; (3) retain the 
substance of NYSE's current appellate process; (4) use NYSE's Chief 
Regulatory Officer (``CRO'') rather than FINRA's General Counsel for 
certain procedural decisions in the proposed rules; and (5) retain the 
current NYSE list of minor rule violations, with certain technical and 
conforming amendments, while adopting FINRA's minor rule violation fine 
levels and FINRA's process for imposing them. A more detailed 
description of the proposed rules is set forth below.
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    \9\ The following proposed NYSE Rules would be identical to the 
text of their counterpart FINRA Rules: 9131-9134, 9136-9138, 9142, 
9148, 9213-9215, 9222, 9233-9241, 9261, 9263-9266, and 9290. See 
infra note 17 for a list of proposed rules with only conforming and 
technical amendments.
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Transition

    Following approval of the proposed rule change, the Exchange 
intends to announce the effective date of the new rules at least 30 
days in advance in an Information Memorandum to its members and member 
organizations. To further facilitate an orderly transition from the 
current rules to the new rules, the Exchange proposes that certain

[[Page 5219]]

matters already initiated under the current rules would be completed 
under such rules.
    Specifically, current NYSE Rule 475 would continue to apply with 
respect to a proceeding for which a written notice had been issued 
prior to the effective date of the new rules. Current NYSE Rules 476 
and 476A would continue to apply with respect to a proceeding for which 
a Charge Memorandum had been filed with the Hearing Board under NYSE 
Rule 476(d) prior to the effective date of the new rules. Current NYSE 
Rule 476 also would continue to apply to a matter for which a written 
Stipulation and Consent has been submitted to a Hearing Officer prior 
to the effective date of the new rules. Current NYSE Rules 475, 476, or 
476A would continue to apply until any such proceeding was final. In 
all other cases, the proposed NYSE Rule 9000 Series, as described 
below, would apply.
    Until the effective date, the Exchange could issue a written notice 
of suspension for non-payment of a fine or other sum due to the 
Exchange under current NYSE Rule 476(k), which would remain in effect 
until payment was made. Thereafter, the Exchange would proceed against 
an individual or entity subject to its jurisdiction that failed to pay 
a fine or monetary sanction under proposed NYSE Rule 8320, which would 
be modeled on the counterpart FINRA rule that similarly provides for a 
summary suspension until such fine or monetary sanction is paid. With 
respect to non-payment of amounts other than fines and monetary 
sanctions, the Exchange proposes to delete the language in current NYSE 
Rule 476(k) regarding these matters because it is duplicative of the 
language in current NYSE Rule 309, which authorizes the Exchange's 
Chief Financial Officer to address non-payment of amounts due to the 
Exchange other than fines and monetary sanctions. Thus, following the 
effective date, NYSE Rule 309 would govern non-payment of sums owed to 
the Exchange other than fines and monetary sanctions. Current NYSE Rule 
309 includes a cross-reference to NYSE Rule 476(k), which would be 
replaced with a reference to proposed NYSE Rule 8320.
    As noted above, current NYSE Rule 476(a)(1)-(11) also contains 
substantive elements in addition to its procedural elements. 
Specifically, NYSE Rule 476(a)(1)-(11) contains a list of offenses for 
which the Exchange can take disciplinary action. The proposed rule 
change would not alter this substantive aspect of Rule 476(a). The 
Exchange could continue to take disciplinary action against a member 
organization or other person subject to its jurisdiction for committing 
any of these substantive violations; following the transition described 
above, the Exchange would bring disciplinary cases for such offenses 
under the proposed NYSE Rule 9000 Series.
    Similarly, the retention of jurisdiction provisions of NYSE Rule 
477 would continue to apply to any member organization that resigned or 
had its membership canceled or revoked and any person whose status as a 
person subject to the Exchange's jurisdiction was terminated or whose 
registration was revoked or canceled if such member organization or 
person had been served with a Charge Memorandum or written notice of 
inquiry pursuant to NYSE Rule 477 prior to the effective date of the 
new rules. As described above, current NYSE Rule 477 generally provides 
that the Exchange retains jurisdiction for one year after such status 
is terminated and such jurisdiction continues if during that one-year 
period the Exchange has provided written notice that it is making 
inquiry into matters that arose prior to termination. In all other 
cases, the retention of jurisdiction provisions of proposed NYSE Rule 
8130 would apply, which would set forth retention of jurisdiction 
provisions modeled on Article IV, Section 6 and Article V, Section 4 of 
the FINRA Bylaws. Under the proposed rule change, as described below, 
the Exchange would retain jurisdiction to file a complaint against a 
member organization or person subject to its jurisdiction for two years 
after such status was terminated, and the proposed NYSE Rule 8000 
Series and Rule 9000 Series generally would apply.
    When the transition is complete and there are no longer any member 
organizations or persons who would be subject to NYSE Rules 475, 476, 
476A, and 477, the Exchange intends to submit a proposed rule change 
that would delete such rules (except for the listed offenses under NYSE 
Rule 476(a)).

Terms and Definitions Used Throughout the Proposed NYSE Rule 8000 and 
9000 Series Resulting in Technical Amendments to FINRA Text

    To continue the current coverage of the NYSE disciplinary rules, 
the proposed rule change would use the terms ``member organization'' 
and ``covered person'' rather than ``member'' and ``person associated 
with a member,'' respectively, which terms are used throughout the 
FINRA Rule 8000 and 9000 Series. The term ``member'' has different 
meanings under FINRA and NYSE rules. Under FINRA Rule 0160(b)(9), 
``member'' means an organization that is a member of FINRA; NYSE's 
equivalent term is ``member organization.'' \10\ Under NYSE Rule 2(a), 
the term ``member'' means a natural person associated with a member 
organization who has been approved by the Exchange and designated by 
such member organization to effect transactions on the floor of the 
Exchange or any facility thereof.
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    \10\ See NYSE Rule 2(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposes to use the term ``covered person'' rather 
than the Act's definition of ``associated person'' or FINRA's 
definition of ``associated person'' so that the proposed rule change 
appropriately captures each of the individuals and entities other than 
member organizations that are currently subject to the Exchange's 
rules, thus preserving the Exchange's current scope of jurisdiction. 
These individuals and entities are members, principal executives, 
approved persons, and registered and non-registered employees of a 
member or member organization, and any other person subject to the 
Exchange's jurisdiction.\11\ Each of these individuals and entities 
falls within the definition of ``associated person'' in Section 
3(a)(18) of the Act.\12\
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    \11\ See NYSE Rules 2A and 476. The Interpretation of NYSE Rule 
345(a) has long permitted registered representatives associated with 
a member organization to assert the status of ``independent 
contractor,'' provided such designation does not in any way 
compromise such person's characterization and treatment as an 
``employee'' of his or her associated member organization for 
purposes of the rules of the Exchange. See Information Memo 06-51. 
As such, independent contractors are deemed employees of member 
organizations and thus subject to the Exchange's jurisdiction.
    \12\ See 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(18). Under Section 3(a)(18), 
``associated person'' means any partner, officer, director, or 
branch manager of a broker-dealer (or any person occupying a similar 
status or performing similar functions), any person directly or 
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with 
a broker-dealer, or any employee of such broker-dealer, excluding 
for certain purposes any person whose functions are solely clerical 
or ministerial.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    However, the definition in the Act is broader in scope that [sic] 
the individuals and entities currently subject to the Exchange's 
jurisdiction and for that reason the Exchange could not use the Act's 
definition for purposes of the proposed rule change. For example, the 
Act's definition of associated person includes any person under common 
control with a broker-dealer. However, the Exchange's scope of 
jurisdiction is not so broad. Specifically, the definition of approved 
person \13\ does not include all affiliates;

[[Page 5220]]

rather, it includes only affiliates engaged in a securities or kindred 
business that is controlled by a member or member organization or a 
U.S. registered broker-dealer under common control with a member 
organization. The Exchange also could not use FINRA's definition of 
associated person in Article I(rr) of FINRA Bylaws \14\ because it does 
not include the affiliates of a broker-dealer that are covered by the 
Exchange's definition of approved person; thus, the FINRA definition 
would be too narrow. As such, the Exchange proposes to use the new term 
``covered person,'' referenced in proposed NYSE Rule 8120(b) and 
defined in proposed NYSE Rule 9120(g), which would include a member, 
principal executive, approved person, registered or non-registered 
employee of a member organization, or other person (excluding a member 
organization) subject to the jurisdiction of the Exchange.\15\ By 
utilizing the term ``covered person,'' there would be no substantive 
change in the scope of persons subject to the Exchange's disciplinary 
rules.\16\
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    \13\ Under NYSE Rule 2(c), ``approved person'' means a person, 
other than a member, principal executive or employee of a member 
organization, who controls a member organization, is engaged in a 
securities or kindred business that is controlled by a member or 
member organization, or is a U.S. registered broker-dealer under 
common control with a member organization.
    \14\ FINRA's definition of ``associated person'' means (1) a 
natural person who is registered or has applied for registration 
under FINRA's Rules; (2) a sole proprietor, partner, officer, 
director, or branch manager of a member, or other natural person 
occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, or a 
natural person engaged in the investment banking or securities 
business who is directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by 
a member, whether or not any such person is registered or exempt 
from registration with FINRA; and (3) for purposes of FINRA Rule 
8210, any other person listed in Schedule A of Form BD of a member. 
FINRA's definition also is narrower than the Act because it does not 
include, for example, entities under common control with a broker-
dealer.
    \15\ Current NYSE Rule 476(a) refers to registered or non-
registered employee of a member. Under current NYSE Rule 2(a), a 
member is a natural person associated with a member organization. A 
member does not have employees. Such persons would be employees of 
the member organization and thus covered by the proposed definition 
of covered person.
    \16\ The Exchange notes that the term ``allied member,'' which 
historically referred to certain general partners, principal 
executives, or control persons of a member organization, has been 
replaced in the Exchange's rules with the term ``principal 
executive.'' See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58549 
(September 15, 2008), 73 FR 54444 (September 19, 2008) (SR-NYSE-
2008-80). As such, allied members are not included in the definition 
of covered person in the proposed rule change. The Exchange proposes 
conforming changes to NYSE Rules 309, 475, 619, 1301A, and 1301B to 
replace references to ``allied member'' with ``principal executive'' 
and to delete unnecessary parentheticals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Where the term ``FINRA'' appears in FINRA's rule text, the term 
``Exchange'' would be substituted in the proposed rule change. As noted 
in Exchange Rule 0, Exchange Rules that refer to NYSER, NYSER staff or 
departments, Exchange staff, and Exchange departments should be 
understood as also referring to FINRA staff and FINRA departments 
acting on behalf of the Exchange pursuant to the RSA, as 
applicable.\17\
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    \17\ Thus, where below the Exchange states that only conforming 
and technical changes have been made, the Exchange is referring to 
instances in which it changed ``member'' and ``associated person'' 
to ``member organization'' and ``covered person,'' respectively; 
changed cross-references to FINRA rules to cross-references to 
Exchange rules; and made other non-substantive changes. The 
following proposed NYSE Rules include only such conforming and 
technical amendments to their counterpart FINRA rule text: 8110, 
8120, 8210, 8211, 8311, 8330, 9110, 9143, 9145, 9252, 9262, 9267, 
9521, 9527, 9620, and 9870.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed NYSE Rule 8000 Series

    Proposed NYSE Rule 8001 would include the effective date of the 
proposed rule change for the NYSE Rule 8000 Series, noting the 
exception for the retention of jurisdiction dates in proposed NYSE Rule 
8130 and the transition from current NYSE Rule 476(k) to proposed NYSE 
Rule 8320, as described above; FINRA does not have a Rule 8001. The 
text of FINRA Rules 8110 through 8330 would be adopted as NYSE Rules 
8110 through 8330, with certain changes as described below.\18\
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    \18\ FINRA does not have a Rule 8212. NYSE is not proposing to 
adopt FINRA Rule 8312, which describes FINRA's BrokerCheck 
disclosures. As such, to maintain consistency with FINRA's rule 
numbering, the Exchange has designated proposed NYSE Rules 8212 and 
8312 as ``Reserved.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed NYSE Rule 8110 would require an NYSE member organization 
to provide access to the Exchange's rules to its customers. The text of 
the proposed rule is substantially the same as the text in FINRA's 
counterpart rule with only conforming and technical amendments. 
Although there is no comparable requirement in the current NYSE Rules, 
the Exchange already meets the requirement because the Exchange's rules 
are available on the Exchange's Web site.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ The NYSE Rules are available at https://nyserules.nyse.com/NYSE/Rules/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted above, proposed NYSE Rule 8120 would provide cross-
references to definitions of the terms ``Adjudicator'' and ``covered 
person'' in proposed NYSE Rule 9120. Similarly, FINRA Rule 8120 cross-
references the definition of ``Adjudicator.'' Proposed Rule 8120 is 
simply technical in nature.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8130 would set forth retention of jurisdiction 
provisions modeled on Article IV, Section 6 and Article V, Section 4 of 
the FINRA Bylaws. The text of the proposed rule is substantially the 
same as the text in FINRA's Bylaws, except that it contains a provision 
in paragraph (d) for the transition period as described above. Under 
the proposed rule change, the Exchange would retain jurisdiction to 
file a complaint against a member organization or covered person for 
two years after such member organization's or covered person's status 
is terminated. This differs from current NYSE Rule 477, which provides 
that the Exchange retains jurisdiction after the termination of status 
as long as a Charge Memorandum or written notice of inquiry is served 
within one year after termination of such status. The Exchange believes 
that the longer period under the proposed rule is appropriate because 
it will harmonize the Exchange's rule with FINRA's rule and provide a 
fixed time period for a complaint to be brought, which provides repose 
[sic] to respondents while still providing Exchange staff with 
sufficient time to determine if a complaint should be brought.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8210 would set forth procedures for the 
provision of information and testimony and inspection and copying books 
by the Exchange. The proposed text of the rule is substantially the 
same as the text in FINRA's counterpart rule, with only technical and 
conforming amendments.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8210(a) would require a member organization and 
covered person to provide information and testimony and permit the 
inspection of books, records, and accounts for the purpose of an 
investigation, complaint, examination, or proceeding authorized by the 
Exchange's rules. As noted above, under proposed NYSE Rule 8130, the 
Exchange would retain jurisdiction over a member organization or 
covered person to file a complaint or otherwise initiate a proceeding 
for two years after such member organization's or covered person's 
status is terminated and as such can continue to obtain information and 
testimony during such period and thereafter if a complaint or 
proceeding is timely filed. Currently the Exchange also requires 
persons subject to its jurisdiction to provide books and records and 
appear and testify upon request under current NYSE Rules 475(e), 
476(a)(11), and 477(a) and (b), and as noted above, the Exchange 
retains jurisdiction after termination of a registration as long as a 
Charge Memorandum or written notice of inquiry has been served within 
one year after termination of such status. The Exchange believes the 
proposed rule is appropriate because it will harmonize the Exchange's 
rules with FINRA's rules with respect to jurisdiction and obtaining 
books and records from member organizations and covered persons.

[[Page 5221]]

    Proposed Rule 8210(b) would authorize Exchange staff to enter into 
regulatory cooperation agreements with a domestic federal agency or 
subdivision thereof or a foreign regulator. Current NYSE Rule 27 
permits the Exchange to enter into agreements with domestic or foreign 
SROs or associations, contract markets and registered futures 
associations, but does not specify domestic federal agencies or 
subdivisions thereof or foreign regulators; because the scope of 
current NYSE Rule 27 is different, the Exchange would retain it along 
with proposed NYSE Rule 8210(b).\20\
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    \20\ Current NYSE Rule 27 also cross-references current NYSE 
Rule 476(a)(11), which enumerates certain violations, including the 
violation of refusing or failing to comply with a request of a 
domestic or foreign SRO or association, contract market, or 
registered futures associations with which the Exchange has entered 
into an agreement or to furnish information to or to appear or 
testify before the Exchange or such other organization or 
association. The proposed rule change would not alter this 
substantive aspect of NYSE Rule 476(a)(11) and as such the cross-
reference in current NYSE Rule 27 would not be amended.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The remainder of proposed NYSE Rule 8210 would set forth certain 
procedures for investigations. Proposed Rule 8210(c) would require 
member organizations and covered persons to comply with information 
requests under the Rule. This requirement is substantially the same as 
current NYSE Rules 475(e), 476(a)(11), and 477(a) and (b), as noted 
above.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8210(d) would provide that a notice under this 
Rule would be deemed received by the member organization or covered 
person to whom it is directed by mailing or otherwise transmitting the 
notice to the last known business address of the member organization or 
the last known residential address of the covered person as reflected 
in the Central Registration Depository. If the Adjudicator or Exchange 
staff responsible for mailing or otherwise transmitting the notice to 
the member organization or covered person had actual knowledge that the 
address in the Central Registration Depository is out of date or 
inaccurate, then a copy of the notice would be mailed or otherwise 
transmitted to: (1) The last known business address of the member 
organization or the last known residential address of the covered 
person as reflected in the Central Registration Depository; and (2) any 
other more current address of the member organization or covered person 
known to the Adjudicator or Exchange staff responsible for mailing or 
otherwise transmitting the notice. Current NYSE Rules 475(e), 
476(a)(11), and 477(a) and (b), which require persons subject to the 
Exchange's jurisdiction to provide books and records and appear and 
testify upon the Exchange's request, do not specify the address to 
which a notice of such request must be directed. The additional 
specificity in proposed NYSE Rule 8210(d) would afford member 
organizations and covered persons additional procedural protections in 
that respect.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8210(e) would provide that in carrying out its 
responsibilities under this Rule, the Exchange may, as appropriate, 
establish programs for the submission of information to the Exchange on 
a regular basis through a direct or indirect electronic interface 
between the Exchange and member organizations. Proposed NYSE Rule 
8210(f) would permit a witness to inspect the official transcript of 
the witness's own testimony, and permit a person who has submitted 
documentary evidence or testimony in an Exchange investigation to get a 
copy of the person's documentary evidence or the transcript of the 
person's testimony under certain circumstances. Finally, proposed NYSE 
Rule 8210(g) would require any member organization or covered person 
who in response to a request pursuant to this Rule provided the 
requested information on a portable media device to ensure that such 
information was encrypted. The Exchange's current rules do not contain 
comparable provisions.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8211 would set forth the procedures for the 
automated submission for trading data requested by the Exchange 
(commonly referred to as ``blue sheets'') for transactions on the 
Exchange. These procedures are substantially the same as the procedures 
in FINRA's counterpart rule, with only conforming and technical 
amendments, and substantially the same as current NYSE Rule 410A. 
Because FINRA now performs all surveillance functions based on the 
information gathered as a result of these rules, the Exchange believes 
that the procedures for the automated submission of trading data should 
be harmonized with the FINRA rules, and therefore proposes to delete 
current NYSE Rule 410A and adopt proposed NYSE Rule 8211 instead.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ The Exchange is retaining NYSE Rule 410B, which concerns 
reports of listed securities transactions effected off the Exchange. 
As such, the Exchange is not adopting FINRA Rule 8213 and has marked 
it as ``Reserved.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed NYSE Rule 8310 would set forth the range of sanctions that 
could be imposed in connection with disciplinary actions under the 
proposed rule change. Such sanctions would include censure, fine, 
suspension, revocation, bar, expulsion, or any other fitting sanction. 
The text of the proposed rule is substantially the same as the text in 
FINRA's counterpart rule, with only conforming and technical 
amendments. The sanctions also are substantially the same as the 
permitted sanctions set forth in current NYSE Rule 476(a)(11), which 
are expulsion; suspension; limitation as to activities, functions, and 
operations, including the suspension or cancellation of a registration 
in, or assignment of, one or more stocks; fine; censure; suspension or 
bar from being associated with any member or member organization; or 
any other fitting sanction. Although there is some difference between 
the text of the current and proposed NYSE rules, the Exchange believes 
that in practice the range of sanctions is the same due to the 
inclusion in both rules of the general category ``any other fitting 
sanction.''
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8310 would also allow the Exchange to impose a 
temporary or permanent cease and desist order against a member 
organization or covered person. This new authority, not currently 
available under NYSE rules, is described in further detail below in the 
section concerning the proposed NYSE Rule 9800 Series.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8311 would provide that if the Commission or the 
Exchange imposed a suspension, revocation, cancellation or bar on a 
covered person, a member organization may not permit such person to 
remain associated, and, in the case of a suspension, may not make any 
remuneration that results from any securities transaction. The text of 
the proposed rule is substantially the same as the text in FINRA's 
counterpart rule, with only conforming and technical amendments. The 
proposed rule is similar in result to current NYSE Rule 476(j), which 
provides that a member will be deprived of all rights and privileges of 
membership during a suspension and that an expulsion of a member 
terminates all rights and privileges arising out of the membership. 
However, the proposed rule is broader because it applies to all covered 
persons subject to a suspension, revocation, cancellation or bar and 
more explicitly prohibits the payment of compensation in the case of a 
suspension.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8313 would provide that the Exchange will 
publish all final disciplinary decisions issued under the proposed NYSE 
Rule 9000 Series, other than minor rule violations,

[[Page 5222]]

on its Web site.\22\ This is the Exchange's long-standing practice, 
although it does not have a current rule with respect to it. By way of 
comparison, FINRA's Rule 8313 provides that disciplinary complaints and 
decisions that meet certain criteria will be either published or made 
available upon request. The Exchange believes that its current practice 
is fair and non-discriminatory and as such proposes to continue it.
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    \22\ Consistent with current practice, a determination in a 
statutory disqualification proceeding under the proposed NYSE Rule 
9520 Series would not be considered a disciplinary decision and thus 
would not be subject to publication.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed NYSE Rule 8320(a) would provide that all fines and other 
monetary sanctions shall be paid to the Treasurer of the Exchange. 
Unlike FINRA Rule 8320(a), the Rule would not provide that such monies 
could be used for general corporate purposes. The Exchange uses fine 
monies for regulatory purposes subject to the approval of the NYSER 
Board.\23\
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    \23\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 55003 (December 
22, 2006), 71 FR 78497 (December 29, 2006) (SR-NYSE-2006-109) and 
55216 (January 31, 2007), 72 FR 5779 (February 7, 2007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed NYSE Rule 8320(b) and (c) would permit the Exchange, after 
seven days' notice in writing, to suspend or expel a member 
organization from membership or revoke the registration of a covered 
person for failure to pay a fine. The text of the proposed rule is 
substantially the same as the text in FINRA's counterpart rule, with 
only conforming and technical amendments. As noted above, under current 
NYSE Rule 476(k), a member organization or covered person may be 
summarily suspended for failing to pay a fine within a 45-day notice 
period; a membership cancellation or bar also could be imposed in a 
regular disciplinary proceeding for non-payment of a fine. Although 
FINRA's rules do not specifically so provide, FINRA typically gives a 
Respondent at least 30 days to pay a fine after the conclusion of a 
proceeding. Thus, the Exchange believes that such period, along with 
the seven days notice provided under proposed NYSE Rule 8320, would 
provide Respondents with an adequate amount of time to pay a fine and 
avoid any further sanction by the Exchange. For clarity regarding the 
transition, proposed NYSE Rule 8001 would provide that the Exchange may 
issue a written notice of suspension for non-payment of a fine under 
Rule 476(k) until the effective date of the proposed rule change, and 
thereafter proposed NYSE Rule 8320 would apply.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 8330 would provide that a disciplined member 
organization or covered person may be assessed the costs of a 
proceeding. The text of the proposed rule is substantially the same as 
the text in FINRA's counterpart rule, with only conforming and 
technical amendments. There is no comparable requirement in the current 
NYSE Rules, although the Exchange may assess costs as a ``fitting 
sanction'' under current NYSE Rule 476(a)(11).

Proposed NYSE Rule 9000 Series

    Proposed NYSE Rule 9001 would set forth the effective date of the 
rule, noting the transitional provisions described above. The text of 
proposed NYSE Rule 9001 would be identical to the proposed introductory 
text of NYSE Rule 476, except that the transition with respect to 
proposed NYSE Rule 8320 would be reflected in proposed NYSE Rule 8001 
as described above.
    The Exchange proposes to adopt the text of FINRA Rules 9110 through 
9290 with certain changes as described below. Proposed NYSE Rule 9110 
would state the types of proceedings to which the proposed NYSE Rule 
9000 Series would apply (each of which is described below) and the 
rights, duties, and obligations of member organizations and covered 
persons, and would set forth the defined terms and cross-references. 
The text of the proposed rule is substantially the same as the text in 
FINRA's counterpart rule, with only conforming and technical 
amendments. The Exchange does not have a comparable rule.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9120 would set forth definitions. Certain 
defined terms in FINRA Rule 9120 would be inapplicable in the 
Exchange's rules--``Counsel to the National Adjudicatory Council,'' 
``District Committee,'' ``Extended Proceeding,'' ``Extended Proceeding 
Committee,'' ``FINRA Board,'' ``FINRA Regulation Board,'' ``General 
Counsel,'' ``Governor,'' ``Market Regulation Committee,'' ``Primary 
District Committee,'' ``Review Subcommittee,'' ``Statutory 
Disqualification Committee,'' and ``Subcommittee''--and therefore are 
not included in the proposed rule change. As described in more detail 
below, the Exchange proposes to continue to use its own Hearing Board 
for Panelists \24\ and its current appellate process.\25\ As such, the 
terms above are unnecessary in the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ See proposed NYSE Rule 9232.
    \25\ See generally proposed NYSE Rules 9310, 9524, and 9559.
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    The Exchange proposes to include certain definitions that are not 
included in FINRA's rule text: ``Board of Directors,'' ``Chief 
Regulatory Officer'' or ``CRO,'' ``covered person,'' ``Department of 
Market Regulation,'' ``Department of Member Regulation,'' ``Exchange,'' 
``Floor-Based Panelist,'' ``Head of Market Regulation,'' and ``Office 
of Hearing Officers.'' These definitions appear in subsequent proposed 
rules, as described below, and are necessary for harmonization with the 
Exchange's rules.
    The remaining definitions--``Adjudicator,'' ``Chief Hearing 
Officer,'' ``Code,'' ``Counsel to the Exchange Board of Directors,'' 
``Department of Enforcement,'' ``Director,'' ``Document,'' ``Extended 
Hearing,'' ``Extended Hearing Panel,'' ``Head of Enforcement,'' 
``Hearing Officer,'' ``Hearing Panel,'' ``Interested Staff,'' ``Office 
of Disciplinary Affairs,'' ``Panelist,'' ``Party,'' and 
``Respondent''--are substantially the same as FINRA's definitions. To 
the extent the definitions differ, the differences are technical and 
conforming to reflect the Exchange's continued use of its Hearing Board 
and appellate processes and other differences noted below.
Proposed NYSE Rules 9130 Through 9138
    Proposed NYSE Rules 9130 through 9138 would govern the service of a 
complaint or other procedural documents under the NYSE Rules. Proposed 
NYSE Rule 9131 would set forth the requirements for serving a complaint 
or document initiating a proceeding. Proposed NYSE Rule 9132 would 
cover the service of orders, notices, and decisions by an Adjudicator. 
Proposed NYSE Rule 9133 would govern the service of papers other than 
complaints, orders, notices, or decisions. Proposed NYSE Rule 9134 
would describe the methods of service and the procedures for service. 
Proposed NYSE Rule 9135 would set forth the procedure for filing papers 
with an Adjudicator. Proposed NYSE Rule 9136 would govern the form of 
papers filed in connection with any proceeding under the proposed NYSE 
Rule 9200 and 9300 Series. Proposed NYSE Rule 9137 would state the 
requirements for and the effect of a signature in connection with the 
filing of papers. Finally, proposed NYSE Rule 9138 would establish the 
computation of time. The text of these proposed rules, other than 
proposed NYSE Rule 9135, is identical to FINRA's counterpart rules.\26\
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    \26\ Proposed NYSE Rule 9135 differs from its FINRA counterpart 
because it deletes a reference to filing an appeal with FINRA's 
Office of Hearing Officer. As previously noted, the Exchange is 
retaining its current appeal process.

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[[Page 5223]]

    By comparison, current NYSE Rule 476(d), which governs service of 
process, is generally less detailed and, as noted above, provides that 
service is deemed effective by personal service of the Charge 
Memorandum, or by leaving the same either at the respondent's last 
known office address during business hours or the respondent's last 
place of residence as reflected in Exchange records, or upon mailing 
same to the respondent at such office address or place of residence. 
Under proposed NYSE Rule 9134, as under current FINRA Rule 9134, papers 
served on a natural person could be served at the natural person's 
residential address, as reflected in the Central Registration 
Depository (``CRD''), if applicable. When a Party or other person 
responsible for serving such person had actual knowledge that the 
natural person's CRD address was out of date, duplicate copies would be 
required to be served on the natural person at the natural person's 
last known residential address and the business address in the CRD of 
the entity with which the natural person is employed or affiliated. 
Papers could also be served at the business address of the entity with 
which the natural person is employed or affiliated, as reflected in 
CRD, or at a business address, such as a branch office, at which the 
natural person is employed or at which the natural person is physically 
present during a normal business day. The Hearing Officer could waive 
the requirement of serving documents (other than complaints) at the 
addresses listed in the CRD if there were evidence that these addresses 
were no longer valid and there was a more current address available. If 
a natural person were represented by counsel or a representative, 
papers served on the natural person, excluding a complaint or a 
document initiating a proceeding, would be required to be served on the 
counsel or representative.
    Similarly, under proposed NYSE Rule 9134, papers served on an 
entity would be required to be made by service on an officer, a partner 
of a partnership, a managing or general agent, a contact employee as 
set forth on Form BD, or any other agent authorized by appointment or 
by law to accept service. Such papers would be required to be served at 
the entity's business address as reflected in CRD, if applicable; 
provided, however, that when the Party or other person responsible for 
serving such entity had actual knowledge that an entity's CRD address 
was out of date, duplicate copies would be required to be served at the 
entity's last known address. If an entity were represented by counsel 
or a representative, papers served on such entity, excluding a 
complaint or document initiating a proceeding, would be required to be 
served on such counsel or representative.
    The Exchange's current rules do not explicitly permit service of a 
Charge Memorandum or other document on a respondent's counsel or other 
authorized representative. FINRA recently amended FINRA Rule 9131(a) to 
provide that when counsel for a Party or other person authorized to 
represent others agrees to accept service of a complaint, FINRA's 
Department of Enforcement or Department of Market Regulation may serve 
the complaint on counsel for a respondent or other person authorized to 
represent others under FINRA Rule 9141.\27\ FINRA Rules 9132 and 9133 
also provide that whenever service of an order, notice, decision, or 
other document (other than a complaint) is required to be made on a 
person represented by counsel or other authorized representative, then 
service must be made on such counsel or authorized representative. The 
proposed rule change would include these provisions and thereby 
accommodate Respondents who have retained counsel and have authorized 
them to accept service. The proposed rule change also would harmonize 
the Exchange's rules with many states' Rules of Professional Conduct 
for attorneys, which generally require that, once a person retains an 
attorney, unless the attorney specifically provides otherwise, all 
communications be directed to such attorney.\28\
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    \27\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66096 (January 4, 
2012), 77 FR 1524 (January 10, 2012) (SR-FINRA-2011-044).
    \28\ See, e.g., American Bar Association Model Rule of 
Professional Conduct 4.2 (Communication with Person Represented by 
Counsel) (``ABA Rule 4.2''). ABA Rule 4.2 provides that, ``[i]n 
representing a client, a lawyer shall not communicate about the 
subject of the representation with a person the lawyer knows to be 
represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has 
the consent of the other lawyer or is authorized to do so by law or 
a court order.'' Many states have rules regarding communication with 
a person represented by counsel that are based on ABA Rule 4.2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that these more detailed procedures for 
service of process would increase the likelihood of successful service 
of process while providing appropriate due process protections to its 
member organizations and covered persons.
Proposed NYSE Rules 9140 Through 9148
    Proposed NYSE Rules 9140 through 9148 would contain various rules 
relating to the conduct of disciplinary proceedings.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9141 would govern appearances in a proceeding, 
notice of appearances, and representation. The text of the proposed 
rule is the same as the text of FINRA's counterpart rule, except that 
the Exchange does not propose to adopt the text of FINRA Rule 9141(c), 
which provides that no former officer of FINRA shall, within one year 
after termination of employment with FINRA, make an appearance before 
an adjudicator on behalf of any other person under the Rule 9000 
Series. The Exchange does not believe that it is necessary to bar its 
former employees from such appearances because its employees generally 
are not involved in the regulatory and disciplinary functions carried 
out by FINRA on behalf of the Exchange; as such, their appearance does 
not create the same type of conflict of interest. Thus, proposed NYSE 
Rule 9141(c) is marked ``Reserved.''
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9141 would permit a Respondent to represent 
himself or be represented by an attorney, just as is permitted under 
current NYSE Rule 476(h). Current NYSE Rule 476(h) is more general, in 
that it permits a respondent to be represented by an attorney or other 
representative, while proposed NYSE Rule 9141 is more specific in that 
it permits a Respondent to be represented by a bar-admitted U.S. 
attorney, permits a partnership to be represented by a partner, and 
permits a corporation, trust, or association to be represented by an 
officer of such entity. Proposed NYSE Rule 9141 also requires an 
attorney or representative to file a notice of appearance, which is not 
required under current Exchange rules.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9142 would require an attorney or representative 
to file a motion to withdraw. The text of the proposed rule is the same 
as the text of FINRA's counterpart rule. There is no current comparable 
NYSE rule.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9143(a) would prohibit certain ex parte 
communications with an Adjudicator or Exchange employee. Under proposed 
NYSE Rule 9143(b), an Adjudicator participating in a decision with 
respect to a proceeding, or an Exchange employee participating or 
advising in the decision of an Adjudicator, who received, made, or 
knowingly caused to be made a communication prohibited by the Rule 
would be required to place in the record of the proceeding: (1) All 
such written communications; (2) memoranda stating the substance of all 
such oral communications; and (3) all written responses and memoranda 
stating the substance of all oral responses to all such communications.

[[Page 5224]]

Under proposed NYSE Rule 9143(c), upon receipt of a prohibited 
communication made or knowingly caused to be made by any Party, any 
counsel or representative to a Party, or any Interested Staff, the 
Exchange or an Adjudicator may order the Party responsible for the 
communication, or the Party who may benefit from the ex parte 
communication made, to show cause why the Party's claim or interest in 
the proceeding should not be dismissed, denied, disregarded, or 
otherwise adversely affected by reason of such ex parte communication. 
All participants to a proceeding could respond to any allegations or 
contentions contained in a prohibited ex parte communication placed in 
the record, and such responses would be placed in the record. Under 
proposed NYSE Rule 9143(d), in a disciplinary proceeding governed by 
the NYSE Rule 9200 Series and the NYSE Rule 9300 Series, the 
prohibitions of the Rule would apply beginning with the authorization 
of a complaint as provided in NYSE Rule 9211, unless the person 
responsible for the communication had knowledge that the complaint 
would be authorized, in which case the prohibitions would apply 
beginning at the time of his or her acquisition of such knowledge. 
Under proposed NYSE Rule 9143(e), there would be a waiver of the ex 
parte prohibition in the case of an offer of settlement, letter of 
acceptance, waiver and consent, or minor rule violation plan letter. 
The text of the proposed rule is substantially the same as the text of 
FINRA's counterpart rule, with only conforming and technical changes. 
There is no current comparable NYSE rule.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9144 would establish the separation of functions 
for Interested Staff and Adjudicators and provide for waivers. The text 
of the proposed rule is modeled on the text of FINRA's counterpart 
rule, with conforming and technical changes and changes to reflect that 
the Exchange would retain its appellate process. There is no current 
comparable NYSE rule.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9145 would provide that formal rules of evidence 
would not apply in any proceeding brought under the proposed NYSE Rule 
9000 Series. The text of the proposed rule is the same as the text of 
the FINRA counterpart rule, with only a conforming and technical 
change. The NYSE does not have a current comparable rule that 
explicitly makes such a statement, although in practice the result is 
the same--formal rules of evidence do not apply to current NYSE 
disciplinary proceedings.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9146 would govern motions a Party may make and 
requirements for responses and formatting. A Party would be permitted 
to make written and oral motions, although an Adjudicator could require 
that a motion be in writing. An opposition to a written motion would 
have to be filed within 14 days, but the moving party would have no 
right to reply, unless an Adjudicator so permits, in which case such 
reply generally would be due within five days. Proposed NYSE Rule 9146 
also would permit a Party to move for a protective order. The text of 
the proposed rule is modeled on the text of FINRA's counterpart rule, 
with conforming and technical changes and changes to reflect that the 
Exchange would retain its appellate process. There is no current 
comparable NYSE rule that contains such detail. Current NYSE Rule 
476(c) simply provides that the Chief Hearing Officer or a Hearing 
Officer may resolve any substantive legal motions. The Exchange 
believes that the more detailed provisions of the proposed rule would 
provide additional clarity to all Parties to a proceeding.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9147 would provide that Adjudicators may rule on 
procedural matters. The text of the proposed rule is the same as the 
text of the FINRA counterpart rule, except that certain text is amended 
to reflect that the Exchange would retain its appellate process. The 
proposed rule is similar to current NYSE Rule 476(c), which provides 
that the Chief Hearing Officer or a Hearing Officer may resolve any 
procedural matters. However, the Exchange's current rules do not 
explicitly provide for the Exchange Board of Directors ruling on 
procedural matters.
    Finally, proposed NYSE Rule 9148 would generally prohibit 
interlocutory review, except as provided in proposed NYSE Rule 9280 for 
contemptuous conduct. The text of the proposed rule is the same as that 
in FINRA's counterpart rule. Similarly, current NYSE Rule 476(c) 
provides that there is no interlocutory appeal to the Exchange Board of 
Directors.
Proposed NYSE Rule 9150
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9150 would provide that a representative can be 
excluded by an Adjudicator for improper or unethical conduct. The text 
of the proposed rule is substantially the same as the text in FINRA's 
counterpart rule, except for conforming and technical amendments and an 
amendment to reflect the Exchange's retention of its appellate process. 
The proposed rule also is substantially the same as the text in current 
NYSE Rule 476(h), which provides that the Hearing Board can exclude a 
representative for improper conduct in a proceeding.
Proposed NYSE Rule 9160
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9160 would provide that no person may act as an 
Adjudicator if he or she has a conflict of interest or bias, or 
circumstances exist where his or her fairness could reasonably be 
questioned. In such case, the person must recuse himself or may be 
disqualified. The proposed rule would cover the recusal or 
disqualification of an Adjudicator, the Chair of the Exchange Board of 
Directors, or a Director. The text of the proposed rule is 
substantially the same as the text in FINRA's counterpart rule, except 
that it does not reference certain Adjudicators used by FINRA that the 
Exchange will not utilize in its proceedings (e.g., a Review 
Subcommittee); as such, proposed NYSE Rules 9160(b) and (c) are 
designated as ``Reserved.'' \29\ Current NYSE Rule 22 similarly 
prohibits a person from participating in an adjudication or 
consideration of a matter if he or she has a personal interest, and 
would apply during the transition period to proceedings under the 
current NYSE rules. The Exchange believes that the broader text of the 
proposed rule could help to increase the fairness of its proceedings.
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    \29\ FINRA Rule 9160(d) is designated as ``Reserved.'' To 
maintain consistency with FINRA's rule numbering, the Exchange has 
also designated its counterpart rule as ``Reserved.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed NYSE Rules 9200 Through 9217
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9200 would cover disciplinary proceedings. 
Proposed NYSE Rule 9211 would permit FINRA's Department of Enforcement 
and Department of Market Regulation to request the authorization of 
FINRA's Office of Disciplinary Affairs to issue a complaint against a 
member organization or covered person, thereby commencing a 
disciplinary proceeding. The text of the proposed rule is substantially 
the same as the text in FINRA's counterpart rule, with only conforming 
and technical changes. The complaint would replace the Charge 
Memorandum currently used by the Exchange under current NYSE Rule 
476(d), as described above, which requires that the specific charges 
against the respondent in the form of a written statement be signed by 
an authorized officer or employee of the Exchange on

[[Page 5225]]

behalf of the Division of the Exchange bringing the charges.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9212 would set forth the requirements of the 
complaint, amendments to the complaint, withdrawal of the complaint, 
and service of the complaint. The text of the proposed rule is modeled 
on the text in FINRA's counterpart rule, except that FINRA Rule 
9212(a)(2) permits the Department of Enforcement or Department of 
Market Regulation to propose that the Chief Hearing Officer select one 
Panelist from the Market Regulation Committee if certain trading-
related violations, described in FINRA Rule 9120(u), are alleged in the 
complaint. The Exchange proposes instead to permit the Chief Hearing 
Officer to select one Floor-Based Panelist, who would be a person who 
is, or, if retired, was, active on the Floor of the Exchange, to serve 
on a Hearing Panel if the complaint alleges at least one cause of 
action involving activities on the Floor of the Exchange. Each 
subsequent reference in the FINRA rules to a Market Regulation 
Committee Panelist would be substituted with a reference to a Floor-
Based Panelist in the proposed NYSE Rules.\30\ The proposed rule change 
would be consistent with the Exchange's practice under current NYSE 
Rule 476(b), which provides that in any disciplinary proceeding 
involving activities on the Floor of the Exchange, no more than one of 
the persons serving on the three-person Hearing Panel may be, or, if 
retired, may have been, active on the Floor of the Exchange.
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    \30\ See proposed NYSE Rules 9221(a)(3), 9231(b) and (c), and 
9232. The term ``Floor-Based Panelist'' would be defined in proposed 
NYSE Rule 9120(p).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the proposed rule change, the form of the complaint also 
would be more prescribed than under current NYSE Rule 476. Current NYSE 
Rule 476 also does not address the amendment or withdrawal of 
complaints.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9213 would provide for the appointment of a 
Hearing Officer and Panelists by the Chief Hearing Officer. The text of 
the proposed rule is the same as FINRA Rule 9213. Current NYSE Rule 
476(b) is similar in that it provides for the appointment of a Chief 
Hearing Officer by the Exchange Board of Directors and the utilization 
of three-person hearing panels led by a Hearing Officer.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9214 would permit the Chief Hearing Officer to 
sever or consolidate two or more disciplinary proceedings under certain 
circumstances and permit a Party to move for such action under certain 
circumstances. The text of the proposed rule is the same as FINRA Rule 
9214. There is no NYSE rule comparable to proposed NYSE Rule 9214 for 
severing or consolidating proceedings. Under current NYSE Rule 476(c), 
the Chief Hearing Officer or a Hearing Officer resolves all procedural 
matters and substantive legal motions.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9215 would set forth requirements for answering 
a complaint, including form, service, notice, content, defenses, 
amendments, default, and timing. The text of the proposed rule is the 
same as FINRA Rule 9215. An answer to a Charge Memorandum under current 
NYSE Rule 476(d) and an answer to a complaint under the proposed rule 
change have the same 25-day response deadline; however, proposed NYSE 
Rule 9215 would explicitly allow for an extension of time to answer an 
amended complaint.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9216 would establish the acceptance, waiver, and 
consent (``AWC'') procedures by which a Respondent, prior to the 
issuance of a complaint, may execute a letter accepting a finding of 
violation, consenting to the imposition of sanctions, and agreeing to 
waive such Respondent's right to a hearing, appeal, and certain other 
procedures.\31\ It also would establish procedures for executing a 
minor rule violation plan letter. The text of the proposed rule is 
similar to the text of FINRA Rule 9216, except that the Office of 
Disciplinary Affairs, on behalf of the Exchange Board of Directors, 
would be authorized to accept or reject an AWC or minor rule violation 
plan letter. If the AWC or minor rule violation plan letter were 
accepted by the Office of Disciplinary Affairs, it would be deemed 
final. If the letter were rejected by the Office of Disciplinary 
Affairs, the Exchange would be permitted to take any other appropriate 
disciplinary action with respect to the alleged violation or 
violations. If the letter were rejected, the member organization or 
covered person would not be prejudiced by the execution of the AWC or 
minor rule violation plan letter and such document could not be 
introduced into evidence in connection with the determination of the 
issues set forth in any complaint or in any other proceeding.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ Proposed NYSE Rule 9270 would address settlement procedures 
after the issuance of a complaint.
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    Under FINRA's rule, the Review Subcommittee or Office of 
Disciplinary Affairs may accept such AWC or letter or refer it to 
FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council (``NAC'') for acceptance or 
rejection, or the Review Subcommittee may reject such AWC or letter or 
refer it to the NAC for acceptance or rejection. Because the Exchange 
does not propose to use a Review Subcommittee or the NAC, procedures 
and references relating to these entities would not be included.
    While the AWC process has some similarity to the Exchange's current 
Stipulation and Consent procedure in NYSE Rule 476(g) in that it 
provides a settlement mechanism, there are certain key differences. 
Under current NYSE Rule 476(g), a Hearing Officer must act on a 
Stipulation and Consent submitted by the parties and may choose to 
convene a Hearing Panel. No Hearing Officer would be involved in the 
process under the proposed rule. Furthermore, any member of the 
Exchange Board of Directors, any member of the NYSER Committee for 
Review, and any Executive Floor Governor may require a review by the 
Exchange Board of Directors of any determination or penalty, or both, 
imposed by a Hearing Panel or Hearing Officer in connection with a 
Stipulation and Consent. In addition, the Respondent or the Division 
which entered into the written consent may require a review by the 
Exchange Board of Directors of any rejection of a Stipulation and 
Consent by the Hearing Panel. There would be no appeals or reviews of 
AWCs by the Exchange Board of Directors under the proposed rule change.
    Although by adopting proposed NYSE Rule 9216 the Exchange would be 
changing the type of review associated with settlement procedures, the 
Exchange believes that the proposed process provides appropriate 
controls to assure consistency and protect against aberrant settlement. 
Specifically, FINRA's Office of Disciplinary Affairs, which is an 
independent body from FINRA's Department of Enforcement,\32\ would be 
reviewing all proposed AWCs or minor rule violation plan letters. 
Accordingly, FINRA's Office of Disciplinary Affairs would serve the 
role currently being performed by a Hearing Officer under NYSE rules to 
review a proposed settlement. The Exchange believes that when both 
Parties to a proceeding agree to a settlement, a review by the Office 
of Disciplinary Affairs would be sufficient and it is not necessary to 
bring such matters to the Exchange Board of Directors level. The call 
for review process under current NYSE Rule 476(g) for a Stipulation and 
Consent in practice is rarely exercised, and the Exchange believes that 
the Office of Disciplinary

[[Page 5226]]

Affairs can serve a similar function and provide objectivity and an 
appropriate check and balance to the settlement process, and thus it is 
not necessary to continue the current Hearing Officer and call for 
review processes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ See FINRA Regulatory Notice 09-17.
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    The Exchange also proposes to adopt aspects of FINRA's process and 
fine levels for minor rule violations while retaining the specific list 
of rules included in the Exchange's current minor rule violation plan, 
with certain technical and conforming amendments. Proposed NYSE Rule 
9216(b) would be similar to FINRA Rule 9216(b), with technical 
amendments and amendments to make it consistent with proposed NYSE Rule 
9216(a) in that the Office of Disciplinary Affairs could accept or 
reject the minor rule violation letter. While FINRA Rule 9216(b) 
provides that a member or associated person that executes a minor rule 
violation letter waives any right to claim bias or prejudgment of 
FINRA's General Counsel, the National Adjudicatory Council, or any 
member of the National Adjudicatory Council, the Exchange's proposed 
Rule would provide that a member organization or covered person could 
not claim bias or prejudgment by CRO, the Exchange Board of Directors, 
Counsel to the Exchange Board of Directors, or any Director in order to 
conform with the Exchange's proposed rules. Unlike current NYSE Rule 
476A, which is described above, the proposed rule would not permit a 
Respondent to contest a minor rule violation letter by filing an answer 
and convert it into a regular disciplinary proceeding. Rather, under 
the proposed rule, if the Respondent rejects the minor rule violation 
letter, then a complaint must be filed under proposed NYSE Rule 9211, 
and the minor rule violation letter may not be introduced into 
evidence. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule provides similar 
and sufficient procedural protections to Respondents.
    FINRA's maximum fine for minor rule violations under FINRA Rule 
9216(b) is $2,500. Currently, the Exchange's maximum fine for minor 
rule violations under current NYSE Rule 476A(a) is $5,000. The Exchange 
believes that it is appropriate to lower the maximum fine amount to 
achieve harmony with FINRA rules. Like FINRA, the Exchange would still 
be able to pursue a fine greater than $2,500 in a regular disciplinary 
proceeding or an AWC under the proposed NYSE Rule 9000 Series as 
appropriate.
    Finally, proposed NYSE Rule 9217 would set forth the list of rules 
under which a member organization or covered person may be subject to a 
fine under a minor rule violation plan as described in proposed NYSE 
Rule 9216(b). The Exchange would retain the list of rules currently set 
forth in its own minor rule violation plan (and found in current NYSE 
Rule 476A) with certain technical and conforming changes under proposed 
NYSE Rule 9217, rather than adopt the list of rules in FINRA's plan. 
The technical and conforming changes are as follows. First, the NYSE's 
current list of minor rules includes a reference to the record 
retention provisions in NYSE Rule 472(c); the reference would be 
corrected to refer to NYSE Rule 472(d). Second, the reference to the 
submission of blue sheets under NYSE Rule 410A would be supplemented 
with a reference to proposed NYSE Rule 8211. Third, the reference to 
the submission of books and records under NYSE Rule 476(a)(11) would be 
supplemented with a reference to proposed NYSE Rule 8210. Finally, 
there is a reference to NYSE Rule 1000-1005. NYSE Rule 1005 was deleted 
from the NYSE rules in 2006 and as such the Exchange proposes to change 
the reference to NYSE Rule 1000-1004.\33\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53539 (March 22, 
2006), 71 FR 16353 (March 31, 2006) (SR-NYSE-2004-05).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The current list of NYSE minor rules includes references to certain 
rules that have been more recently removed from the NYSE rules as part 
of the FINRA rule harmonization process, including previous NYSE Rules 
312(h), 382(a), 352(b) and (c), 392, and 445(4). The Exchange proposes 
to maintain the references to these former rules in its current list of 
minor rules in proposed NYSE Rule 9217. By doing so, the Exchange could 
continue to resolve violations of them that occurred prior to the 
harmonization via a minor rule violation letter.\34\ For example, 
guarantees against loss were covered by NYSE Rule 352 until December 
2009, when NYSE Rule 2150 was adopted.\35\ The Exchange could resolve a 
guarantee against loss violation that occurred in November 2009 when 
NYSE Rule 352 was effective, and NYSE Rule 2150 was not effective, via 
a minor rule violation plan letter under proposed NYSE Rule 9217. The 
Exchange will determine at a later time when it is appropriate to 
remove these previous rule references from the list of minor rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ This rationale for maintaining references to prior rules in 
the list of minor rule violations was noted in Securities Exchange 
Act Release No. 62940 (September 20, 2010), 75 FR 58452 (September 
24, 2010) (SR-NYSE-2010-66).
    \35\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61158 (December 11, 
2009), 74 FR 67942 (December 21, 2009) (SR-NYSE-2009-123).
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Proposed NYSE Rules 9220 Through 9222
    Proposed NYSE Rules 9221 and 9222 would describe how a Respondent 
can request a hearing, the notice of a hearing, and timing 
considerations. The text of the proposed rules is the same as that in 
FINRA's counterpart rules, except that it permits a Respondent to 
request a Floor-Based Panelist rather than a Market Regulation 
Committee Panelist. Proposed Rule 9221 provides that a Hearing Officer 
generally must provide at least 28 days notice of the hearing. Current 
NYSE Rule 476 does not have comparable provisions relating to how a 
hearing can be ordered and time for notices; rather, current NYSE Rule 
476(b) states that all proceedings under the Rule, except as to matters 
which are resolved by a Hearing Officer when so authorized, are 
conducted at a Hearing in accordance with the provisions of NYSE Rule 
476.
Proposed NYSE Rules 9230 Through 9235
    Proposed NYSE Rules 9231 and 9232 would govern how a Hearing Panel, 
Extended Hearing Panel, Replacement Hearing Officer, Panelists, 
Replacement Panelists, and Floor-Based Panelists are appointed and 
their composition and criteria for selection.
    Under the proposed rule change, the Exchange would use FINRA's 
Chief Hearing Officer and Hearing Officers from FINRA's Office of 
Hearing Officers, rather than have the Exchange Board of Directors 
appoint such persons as it does today under current NYSE Rule 476(b). 
Because such positions are staff positions, the Exchange believes that 
it is reasonable to utilize FINRA staff, just as it is doing with 
respect to other proposed rules.
    The proposed rules also differ from the counterpart FINRA rules in 
that the Exchange would not use FINRA's pool of Panelists but would 
instead continue to draw Panelists appointed from an Exchange Hearing 
Board. As it is today, the Hearing Board would be appointed annually by 
the Chairman and would be composed of members of the Exchange who are 
not members of the Exchange Board of Directors and registered employees 
and non-registered employees of members and member organizations, as 
well as former members, allied members, or registered and non-
registered employees of members and member organizations who have 
retired from the securities industry.\36\ As is the case under current

[[Page 5227]]

NYSE Rule 476(b), Panelists would be required to be persons of 
integrity and judgment. There would be one change in Hearing Board 
eligibility in the proposed rule as compared to the current rule. 
Currently, the Exchange requires that a Panelist cannot have been 
retired from the securities industry for more than five years. In order 
to have the largest number of potential retired Panelists available 
following the proposed rule change, the Exchange proposes to drop the 
five-year restriction. The Exchange believes that there are well-
qualified persons, in particular retirees, who continue to stay abreast 
of industry developments and rules after more than five years of 
retirement and that such persons would be valuable additions to the 
Hearing Board.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ As noted above, the Exchange no longer has allied members, 
but former allied members would continue to be eligible to be 
appointed to the Hearing Board, and the text of proposed NYSE Rule 
9232 reflects that. See supra note 16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, as noted above, while FINRA's rules permit the Chief 
Hearing Officer to select one Panelist from the Market Regulation 
Committee if certain trading-related violations are alleged in the 
complaint, the Exchange proposes instead to permit the Chief Hearing 
Officer to select one Floor-Based Panelist to serve on a Hearing Panel 
if the complaint alleges at least one cause of action involving 
activities on the Floor of the Exchange, consistent with the Exchange's 
practice under current NYSE Rule 476(b).
    Proposed Rule 9232 would also include certain Panelist selection 
criteria that are included in FINRA Rule 9232. These criteria are 
expertise, absence of any conflict of interest or bias or any 
appearance thereof, availability, and the frequency with which a person 
has served as a Panelist in the last two years, favoring the selection 
of a person as a Panelist who has never served or who has served 
infrequently as a Panelist during the period. NYSE Rule 476(b) 
currently does not include these criteria.
    Proposed NYSE Rules 9233 and 9234 would establish the processes for 
recusal and disqualification of Hearing Officers, Hearing Panels, or 
Extended Hearing Panels. The text of the proposed rules is identical to 
the text in FINRA's counterpart rules. Current NYSE Rule 22 similarly 
prohibits a person from participating in an adjudication if he or she 
has a personal interest but does not specifically provide for recusals 
and disqualifications in the manner in which the comparable FINRA rule 
does.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9235 would set forth the Hearing Officer's 
duties and authority in detail. The text of the proposed rule is 
identical to that in FINRA's counterpart rule. The proposed rule change 
is similar to current NYSE Rule 476(c), which gives the Hearing Officer 
general authority in procedural and evidentiary matters.
Proposed NYSE Rules 9240 Through 9242
    Proposed NYSE Rules 9241 and 9242 would govern the substantive and 
procedural requirements for pre-hearing conferences and pre-hearing 
submissions. The text of the proposed rules is identical to FINRA's 
counterpart rules, except that the Exchange does not propose to adopt 
the text of FINRA Rule 9242(b), which provides that no former officer 
of FINRA may, within one year after termination of employment with 
FINRA, appear as an expert witness in a proceeding under the Rule 9000 
Series except on behalf of FINRA. The Exchange does not believe that it 
is necessary to bar its former employees from such appearances because 
its employees generally are not involved in the regulatory and 
disciplinary functions carried out by FINRA on behalf of the Exchange; 
as such, their appearance does not create the same type of conflict of 
interest. As such, proposed NYSE Rule 9242(b) is marked ``Reserved.'' 
As stated above, current NYSE Rule 476(c) gives Hearing Officers 
general authority in procedural matters, but there are no specific 
provisions in the current NYSE rules relating to pre-hearing 
conferences and submissions.
Proposed NYSE Rules 9250 Through 9253
    Proposed NYSE Rules 9250 through 9253 would address discovery, 
including the requirements and limitations relating to the inspection 
and copy of documents in the possession of Exchange staff, requests for 
information and limitations on such requests, and the production of 
witness statements and any harmless error relating to the production of 
such witness statements.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9251 would generally require the Department of 
Enforcement or Department of Market Regulation to make available to a 
Respondent any documents prepared or obtained in connection with the 
investigation that led to the proceedings, except that certain 
privileged or other internal documents, such as examination or 
inspection reports or documents that would reveal an examination, 
investigation, or enforcement technique or confidential source, or 
documents that are prohibited from disclosure under federal law, are 
not required to be made available. A Hearing Officer may require that a 
withheld document list be prepared. Proposed NYSE Rule 9251 also sets 
forth procedures for inspection and copying of produced documents. In 
addition, if a Document required to be made available to a Respondent 
pursuant to the proposed Rule was not made available by the Department 
of Enforcement or the Department of Market Regulation, no rehearing or 
amended decision of a proceeding already heard or decided would be 
required unless the Respondent establishes that the failure to make the 
Document available was not harmless error. The Hearing Officer, or, 
upon review under proposed NYSE Rule 9310, the Exchange Board of 
Directors, would determine whether the failure to make the document 
available was not harmless error, applying applicable Exchange, FINRA, 
SEC, and federal judicial precedent. The text of the proposed rule is 
substantially the same as FINRA's counterpart rule, except for 
conforming and technical changes and changes to reflect the Exchange's 
retention of its current appeals process, and the addition of the 
Exchange's consideration of its own precedent with respect to 
determining harmless error. The proposed Rule would not establish any 
preference for Exchange versus other precedent in this respect; rather 
the Adjudicators could determine in their discretion what precedent to 
apply.
    Current NYSE Rule 476(c) contains provisions that address the same 
subject. As described above, under that rule the Chief Hearing Officer, 
or any Hearing Officer designated by the Chief Hearing Officer, may 
require the Exchange to permit a respondent to inspect and copy 
documents or records in the possession of the Exchange that are 
material to the preparation of the defense or are intended for use by 
the Division of the Exchange initiating the proceeding as evidence in 
chief at the hearing; however, the rule does not authorize the 
discovery or inspection of reports, memoranda, or other internal 
Exchange documents prepared by the Exchange in connection with the 
proceeding. Under the proposed rule, there would be no materiality 
standard. The Exchange believes that eliminating the materiality 
standard will ease administration of the rule while still providing 
appropriate protections for internal Exchange documents.
    In addition, under current NYSE Rule 476(c), the respondent may be 
required to provide discovery of non-privileged documents and records 
to the Exchange. There is no explicit counterpart in the proposed NYSE 
or current FINRA rules, but the Exchange notes that proposed

[[Page 5228]]

NYSE Rule 8210 may always be used to obtain non-privileged documents 
from a Respondent. Thus, in that respect, there is no substantive 
difference in the result under the current or proposed rules.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9252, a Respondent could request that the 
Exchange invoke proposed Rule 8210 to compel the production of 
Documents or testimony at the hearing if the Respondent can show that 
certain standards are met, e.g., that the information sought is 
relevant, material, and non-cumulative. The text of the proposed rule 
is substantially the same as that in FINRA's counterpart rule, with 
only technical amendments. Current NYSE Rule 476 provides that a 
respondent may be required to provide discovery of non-privileged 
documents to the Exchange.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9253, a Respondent could file a motion to 
obtain certain witness statements. The text of the proposed rule is 
substantially the same as FINRA's counterpart rule, except for 
conforming and technical changes and changes to reflect the Exchange's 
retention of its current appeals process. The Exchange's current rules 
do not contain such a provision.
Proposed NYSE Rules 9260 Through 9269
    Proposed NYSE Rules 9260 through 9269 would govern hearings and 
decisions.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9261 would generally require the Parties to 
submit a list of documentary evidence and witnesses no later than 10 
days before the hearing. The text of the proposed rule is identical to 
the counterpart FINRA rule. The Exchange's current rules do not contain 
such a provision.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9262 would require persons subject to the 
Exchange's jurisdiction to testify under oath or affirmation at a 
hearing. The proposed rule is substantially the same as FINRA's 
counterpart rule, with only conforming and technical changes. The 
Exchange's current rules do not contain such a provision.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9263 would authorize the Hearing Officer to 
exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious or prejudicial 
evidence and a Party to object; excluded evidence would be part of the 
record. The text of the proposed rule is identical to the text of FINRA 
Rule 9263. Under current NYSE Rule 476(c), the Chief Hearing Officer or 
a Hearing Officer resolves all evidentiary issues. There is no explicit 
provision in the Exchange's current rules for excluded evidence to be 
included in the record.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9264 would allow Parties to file a motion for 
summary disposition under certain circumstances and would describe the 
procedures for filing and ruling on such motion. The text of the 
proposed rule is identical to the text of FINRA Rule 9264. Under 
current NYSE Rule 476(c), the Chief Hearing Officer or a Hearing 
Officer resolves all procedural matters, but the Rule does not 
specifically address motions for summary disposition. In practice, 
however, the NYSE Hearing Panels accept and rule on motions for summary 
disposition.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9265 would require that the hearing be recorded 
by a court reporter, that a transcript be prepared and made available 
for purchase, and that a Party be permitted to seek a correction of the 
transcript from the Hearing Officer. The text of the proposed rule is 
identical to the text of FINRA Rule 9265. Current NYSE Rule 476(e) 
provides generally that the Exchange must keep a record of hearings.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9266 would authorize the Hearing Officer to 
require a post-hearing brief or proposed finding of facts and 
conclusions of law and would outline the form and timing for such 
submissions. The text of the proposed rule is identical to the text of 
FINRA Rule 9266. Under current NYSE Rule 476(c), the Chief Hearing 
Officer or a Hearing Officer resolves all procedural matters, but the 
rule does not specifically address such post-hearing activities.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9267 would detail the required contents of the 
hearing record and the treatment of any supplemental documents attached 
to the record. The text of the proposed rule is substantially the same 
as the text of FINRA Rule 9267, except for conforming and technical 
changes. The Exchange's current rules do not contain such a provision.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9268 would set forth the timing and the contents 
of a decision of the Hearing Panel or Extended Hearing Panel and the 
procedures for a dissenting opinion, service of the decision, and any 
requests for review. The text of the proposed rule is similar to FINRA 
Rule 9268, except for conforming and technical changes and changes to 
reflect the Exchange's retention of its appeal process, and except for 
an additional provision to address the fact that the Exchange has 
member affiliates.\37\ As such, in proposed NYSE Rule 9268, the 
Exchange proposes to include text providing that a disciplinary 
decision concerning a member that is an affiliate of the Exchange would 
not be subject to review under proposed NYSE Rule 9310 but instead 
would be treated as a final disciplinary action subject to SEC review. 
The Exchange does not believe that an appeal by an affiliate to the 
Exchange Board of Directors is appropriate, but rather such affiliate 
should be permitted to appeal directly to the SEC. The Exchange notes 
that NASDAQ, which also has a member affiliate, has a rule that is 
substantially the same as the Exchange's proposed rule.\38\ Because the 
Exchange's member affiliates will still have a right to appeal to the 
SEC, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule is not unfairly 
discriminatory.
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    \37\ The Exchange has one member, Archipelago Securities, Inc., 
that is an affiliate of the Exchange that is used for inbound and 
outbound routing of certain orders. See NYSE Rule 17(c). The 
Exchange also has a joint venture with BIDS Holding, LP, an 
affiliate of which, BIDS Trading L.P., is a member of the Exchange. 
See NYSE Rule 2B.01.
    \38\ See NASDAQ Rule 9268(e)(2).
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    Finally, proposed NYSE Rule 9269 would establish the process for 
the issuance and review of default decisions by a Hearing Officer when 
a Respondent fails to timely answer a complaint or fails to appear at a 
pre-hearing conference or hearing where due notice has been provided. A 
Party may, for good cause shown, file a motion to set aside a default 
decision. The text of the proposed rule is similar to FINRA Rule 9268, 
except for conforming and technical changes and changes to reflect the 
Exchange's retention of its appeal process.
    Current NYSE Rule 476(d) provides a similar mechanism for default 
decisions as the proposed rule change. As described above, under the 
current rule, if the respondent has failed to file an answer, the 
Division of the Exchange bringing the charges, by motion, accompanied 
by proof of notice to the respondent, may request a determination of 
guilt by default, and may recommend a penalty to be imposed. If the 
respondent opposes the motion, the Hearing Officer, on a determination 
that the respondent had adequate reason to fail to file an answer, may 
adjourn the hearing date and direct the respondent to promptly file an 
answer. If the default motion is unopposed, or the respondent did not 
have adequate reason to fail to file an answer, or the respondent 
failed to file an answer after being given an opportunity to do so, the 
Hearing Officer, on a determination that the respondent has had notice 
of the charges and that the Exchange has jurisdiction in the matter, 
may find guilt

[[Page 5229]]

and determine a penalty. Unlike the proposed rule, the current rule 
does not contain a provision for setting aside a default decision that 
has been rendered.
Proposed NYSE Rule 9270
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9270 would provide for a settlement procedure 
for a Respondent who has been notified that a proceeding has been 
instituted against him or her. The proposed settlement procedure would 
be different from both FINRA Rule 9270 and the Stipulation and Consent 
procedure under current NYSE Rule 476(g), which is described above.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9270(a), a Respondent notified of the 
institution of a disciplinary proceeding could make a written offer of 
settlement at any time, but the proposal would not stay the proceeding 
unless the Hearing Officer determined otherwise. The proposed rule is 
identical to FINRA's counterpart rule. The proposed rule differs from 
current NYSE Rule 476(g), which requires that a Stipulation and Consent 
be agreed to by both the respondent and Exchange staff.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9270(b), a Respondent would be prohibited 
from making a frivolous settlement offer or one that was inconsistent 
with the seriousness of the violations. The proposed rule is identical 
to FINRA's counterpart rule. Current NYSE Rule 476(g) does not contain 
a similar provision.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9270(c) would set forth the required content of 
the proposal, which would include a statement consenting to findings of 
fact and violations and a proposed sanction. The proposed rule would be 
substantially the same as FINRA's rule, except for conforming and 
technical changes and except that it would not require that the 
proposed sanction be consistent with FINRA's Sanction Guidelines 
because the Exchange currently does not have Sanction Guidelines and 
does not propose to follow FINRA's because they are tailored to FINRA's 
rules, not the Exchange's rules. The Exchange notes that other SROs, 
such as BATS Exchange, Inc. and Direct Edge, also do not publish 
sanction guidelines. Current Rule 476(g) similarly requires that a 
Stipulation and Consent contain proposed findings of facts, violations, 
and a specified penalty.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9270(d) would provide that submission of a 
settlement offer waives a Respondent's right to a hearing, to claim 
bias or ex parte communication violations, and the right to review by 
the Exchange Board of Directors, the Commission, or the courts. This 
differs from current NYSE Rule 476(g), which allows either party to 
request a hearing on a Stipulation and Consent or a Hearing Officer to 
convene a hearing on a Stipulation and Consent in certain 
circumstances; in addition, current NYSE Rule 476(g) allows the 
Exchange Board of Directors to call for review a determination or 
penalty imposed by a Hearing Panel or Hearing Officer. The Exchange 
does not believe that it is necessary to preserve the hearing process 
or call for review in instances where the parties have agreed upon a 
resolution of the matter and such resolution has been subject to a 
review by the Office of Disciplinary Affairs, which is independent of 
the parties. The text of the rule would differ from FINRA's counterpart 
rule to reflect the Exchange's retention of its appellate process and 
its designation of its CRO, rather than FINRA's General Counsel, to 
determine certain procedural matters. In addition, the text of the rule 
would differ from FINRA's counterpart in that it would delete 
references to General Counsel, the National Adjudicatory Council, or 
any member of the National Adjudicatory Council with respect to waiving 
claims of bias and replace them with references to the CRO, the 
Exchange Board of Directors, Counsel to the Exchange Board of 
Directors, or any Director to conform those provisions to the 
Exchange's proposed rules.
    Proposed Rule 9270(e) would address contested settlement offers. 
Under the proposed rule, if a Respondent made an offer of settlement 
and the Department of Enforcement or the Department of Market 
Regulation opposed it, the offer of settlement would be contested and 
thereby deemed rejected, and thus the proceeding would continue to 
completion under the proposed NYSE Rule 9200 Series. The contested 
offer of settlement would not be transmitted to the Office of Hearing 
Officers, Office of Disciplinary Affairs, or Hearing Panel or Extended 
Hearing Panel, and would not constitute a part of the record in any 
proceeding against the Respondent making the offer. The proposed rule 
differs from FINRA's counterpart rule, FINRA Rule 9270(f), which 
permits a Hearing Panel or Extended Hearing Panel and the NAC to act on 
contested offers of settlement. The Exchange has determined that if the 
Parties cannot reach agreement on the offer of settlement, then the 
matter should proceed under the proposed Rule 9200 Series. The Exchange 
believes that its proposed rule would encourage Respondents to make 
reasonable offers of settlement that will be acceptable to the 
Department of Enforcement or Department of Market Regulation and is 
consistent with its current process under NYSE Rule 476(g), which does 
not contemplate contested settlement offers but rather requires that 
both the respondent and the Exchange staff agree on the Stipulation and 
Consent.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9270(f) and (h) would address uncontested 
settlement offers. Under the proposed rule, if a hearing on the merits 
had not begun, the Office of Disciplinary Affairs could accept the 
settlement offer; if a hearing on the merits had begun, the Hearing 
Panel or Extended Hearing Panel could accept the settlement offer.\39\ 
If they did not, the offer would be deemed withdrawn and the matter 
would proceed under the proposed NYSE Rule 9200 Series and the 
settlement offer would not be part of the record. The proposed text is 
modeled in part on FINRA's counterpart rules, FINRA Rule 9270(e) and 
(h), but differs in certain key respects. Under FINRA's rules, the NAC 
ultimately must accept the offer of settlement. Because the Exchange is 
retaining its appellate process and not utilizing the NAC, the Exchange 
does not propose to replicate this aspect of FINRA's rules. As 
discussed above, the Exchange believes that it is unnecessary to have a 
second level of review of an uncontested settlement offer that is 
accepted by the Office of Disciplinary Affairs, Hearing Panel, or 
Extended Hearing Panel, as applicable, because all parties are in 
agreement with respect to the resolution of the matter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ Because the Exchange does not have sanction guidelines, the 
Office of Disciplinary Affairs, Hearing Panel, or Extended Hearing 
Panel, as applicable, would consider Exchange precedent or such 
other precedent as it deemed appropriate in determining whether to 
accept the settlement offer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed NYSE Rule 9270(i) would address disciplinary proceedings 
with multiple Respondents and permit settlement offers to be accepted 
or rejected as to any one or all of such Respondents. The text of the 
proposed rule is identical to FINRA's counterpart rule. Current NYSE 
Rule 476(c) does not have a similar provision.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9270(j) would provide that a Respondent may not 
be prejudiced by a rejected offer of settlement nor may it be 
introduced into evidence. The text of the proposed rule is 
substantially the same as FINRA Rule 9270(j), except that it references 
the Office of Disciplinary Affairs and does not include references to 
the NAC and Review Subcommittee, which the Exchange does not propose to 
utilize. The current NYSE rules do not have a similar provision.

[[Page 5230]]

Proposed NYSE Rule 9280
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9280 would set forth sanctions for contemptuous 
conduct by a Party or attorney or other representative, which may 
include exclusion from a hearing or conference, and sets forth a 
process for reviewing such exclusions. The text of the proposed rule is 
substantially the same as that in FINRA's counterpart rule, except that 
rather than having the NAC review exclusions, the Exchange proposes to 
have the Chief Hearing Officer review exclusions. The Exchange does not 
believe that it is necessary for the Exchange Board of Directors to 
conduct such reviews, and they do not do so under the Exchange's 
current rules. The Exchange believes that Respondents and their 
attorneys and representatives will have adequate procedural protections 
with a review by the Chief Hearing Officer. Current NYSE Rule 476 does 
not have similar procedures for contemptuous conduct generally, but 
NYSE Rule 476(h) does allow for a fine or sanction for improper conduct 
before a Hearing Board.
Proposed NYSE Rule 9290
    The Exchange proposes to adopt the text of FINRA Rule 9290 for 
expedited disciplinary proceedings. Under proposed NYSE Rule 9290, for 
any disciplinary proceeding, the subject matter of which also is 
subject to a temporary cease and desist proceeding initiated pursuant 
to proposed NYSE Rule 9810 or a temporary cease and desist order, 
hearings would be required to be held and decisions rendered at the 
earliest possible time. The text of the proposed rule is identical to 
FINRA Rule 9290. The Exchange currently does not have a similar rule.
Proposed NYSE Rules 9300 Through 9310
    The Exchange is not proposing to adopt FINRA's appellate and call 
for review processes as set forth in the FINRA Rule 9300 Series. 
Rather, the text of current NYSE Rule 476(f) and (l) as described above 
would be moved to proposed NYSE Rule 9310, with certain technical and 
substantive changes that are described below.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9310(a)(1), any Party, any Director, and 
any member of the NYSER Committee for Review could require a review by 
the Exchange Board of Directors of any determination or penalty, or 
both, imposed by a Hearing Panel or Extended Hearing Panel under the 
proposed NYSE Rule 9200 Series, except that neither Party could request 
a review by the Exchange Board of Directors of a decision concerning an 
Exchange member that is an affiliate. A request for review would be 
made by filing with the Secretary of the Exchange a written request 
therefor, which states the basis and reasons for such review, within 25 
days after notice of the determination and/or penalty was served upon 
the Respondent. The Secretary of the Exchange would give notice of any 
such request for review to the Parties.
    The proposed rule differs from the current rule in one substantive 
respect. It would eliminate the authority of an Executive Floor 
Governor to require a review of a disciplinary decision. The Exchange 
believes that such authority is no longer necessary because the 
Exchange has moved away from a Floor-only trading model, and the 
Exchange's roster of member organizations includes those without any 
Floor presence. Accordingly, the Executive Floor Governors no longer 
represent the full community of market participants who may be subject 
to disciplinary action. The text also contains certain conforming and 
technical changes to align it with terms used in the remainder of the 
proposed NYSE Rule 9000 Series.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9310(a)(2), the Secretary of the Exchange 
would direct the Office of Hearing Officers to complete and transmit a 
record of the disciplinary proceeding in accordance with NYSE Rule 
9267. Within 21 days after the Secretary of the Exchange gives notice 
of a request for review to the Parties, or at such later time as the 
Secretary of the Exchange could designate, the Office of Hearing 
Officers would assemble and prepare an index to the record, transmit 
the record and the index to the Secretary of the Exchange, and serve 
copies of the index upon all Parties. The Hearing Officer who 
participated in the disciplinary proceeding, or the Chief Hearing 
Officer, would certify that the record transmitted to the Secretary of 
the Exchange was complete. Current NYSE Rule 476(f) does not contain 
such requirements; the text is modeled on FINRA Rule 9321.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9310(b), any review by the Exchange Board 
of Directors would be based on oral arguments and written briefs and 
limited to consideration of the record before the Hearing Panel or 
Extended Hearing Panel. Upon review, the Exchange Board of Directors, 
by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Exchange Board of 
Directors then in office, could sustain any determination or penalty 
imposed, or both, may modify or reverse any such determination, and may 
increase, decrease or eliminate any such penalty, or impose any penalty 
permitted under the Exchange's rules, as it deems appropriate. Unless 
the Exchange Board of Directors otherwise specifically directed, the 
determination and penalty, if any, of the Exchange Board of Directors 
after review would be final and conclusive, subject to the provisions 
for review under the Act. The proposed rule is substantially the same 
as provided in current NYSE Rule 476(f), other than conforming and 
technical changes to align it with terms used in the remainder of the 
proposed NYSE Rule 9000 Series.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9310(c), notwithstanding the foregoing, if 
either Party upon review applied to the Exchange Board of Directors for 
leave to adduce additional evidence, and showed to the satisfaction of 
the Exchange Board of Directors that the additional evidence was 
material and that there were reasonable grounds for failure to adduce 
it before the Hearing Panel or Extended Hearing Panel, the Exchange 
Board of Directors could remand the case for further proceedings, in 
whatever manner and on whatever conditions the Exchange Board of 
Directors considered appropriate. The proposed rule is substantially 
the same as provided in current NYSE Rule 476(f), other than conforming 
and technical changes to align it with terms used in the remainder of 
the proposed NYSE Rule 9000 Series.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9310(d), notwithstanding any other 
provisions of the proposed NYSE Rule 9000 Series, the CEO could not 
require a review by the Exchange Board of Directors under this Rule and 
would be recused from deliberations and actions of the Exchange Board 
of Directors with respect to such matters. The proposed rule is 
substantially the same as provided in current NYSE Rule 476(l), other 
than conforming and technical changes to align it with terms used in 
the remainder of the proposed NYSE Rule 9000 Series.
Proposed NYSE Rules 9500 Through 9527
    The proposed NYSE Rule 9500 Series would relate to all other 
proceedings under the Exchange Rules.
    The proposed NYSE Rule 9520 Series would govern eligibility 
proceedings for persons subject to statutory disqualifications that are 
not FINRA members. The Exchange does not currently have any rules 
governing this

[[Page 5231]]

subject matter.\40\ The Exchange intends for the scope of the proposed 
NYSE Rule 9520 Series to be the same as FINRA Rule 9520 Series, and as 
such intends to issue a notice similar to FINRA Regulatory Notice 09-
19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ FINRA has been processing statutory disqualification 
applications on behalf of the Exchange since 2007. See supra notes 4 
and 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed NYSE Rule 9521 would add certain definitions relating to 
eligibility proceedings that are not currently part of the NYSE's 
rules, including ``Application,'' ``disqualified member organization,'' 
``disqualified person,'' and ``sponsoring member organization.'' 
Proposed NYSE Rule 9522 would govern the initiation of an eligibility 
proceeding by the Exchange and the obligation for a member organization 
to file an application to initiate an eligibility proceeding if it has 
been subject to certain disqualifications. Further, under the proposed 
rule, the Department of Member Regulation could approve a written 
request for relief from the eligibility requirements under certain 
circumstances. Proposed NYSE Rule 9523 would allow the Department of 
Member Regulation to recommend a supervisory plan to which the 
disqualified member organization, sponsoring member organization, and/
or disqualified person, as the case may be, may consent and by doing 
so, waive the right to hearing or appeal if the plan is accepted and 
the right to claim bias or prejudgment, or prohibited ex parte 
communications. If such a supervisory plan were rejected, proposed NYSE 
Rule 9524 would allow a request for review by the applicant to the 
Exchange Board of Directors. Proposed NYSE Rule 9527 would provide that 
a filing of an application for review would not stay the effectiveness 
of final action by the Exchange unless the Commission otherwise 
ordered.
    The text of the proposed rule change is similar to that in FINRA's 
counterpart rules, except for conforming and technical changes and 
except as follows. First, under proposed NYSE Rule 9523, if the 
disqualified member organization, sponsoring member organization, and/
or disqualified person executed a letter consenting to a supervisory 
plan, it would be submitted to the Exchange's CRO. Under FINRA's rule, 
the letter is submitted to FINRA Office of General Counsel, which 
submits it to the Chairman of the Statutory Disqualification Committee, 
acting on behalf of the NAC; the Chairman may accept or reject the plan 
or refer it to the NAC for action. The Exchange does not propose to 
utilize the NAC or the Statutory Disqualification Committee Chairman 
for this purpose. The Exchange believes that its CRO is independent of 
the Department of Member Regulation and as such can provide an 
appropriate review. The CRO is performing this same function today when 
the CRO reviews statutory disqualification decisions reached by FINRA. 
In addition, under FINRA's rule, the waiver of bias or prejudgment is 
with respect to the Department of Member Regulation, the FINRA General 
Counsel, the NAC and any member thereof, while under proposed NYSE Rule 
9523, the waiver would be with respect to the Department of Member 
Regulation, the CRO, the Exchange Board of Directors, or any member 
thereof to conform to the Exchange's proposed rules.
    Second, under proposed NYSE Rule 9524, if the CRO rejects the plan, 
the member organization or applicant may request a review by the 
Exchange Board of Directors. This differs from FINRA's process, which 
provides for a hearing before the NAC and further consideration by the 
FINRA Board of Directors. Because the Exchange does not propose to 
utilize the NAC, the Exchange proposes instead that any appeal be heard 
by the Exchange Board of Directors. FINRA Rule 9525 also allows for 
discretionary review by the FINRA Board and the Exchange does not 
propose to adopt a comparable rule.\41\ The Exchange Board of Directors 
historically has not exercised such discretion with respect to 
statutory disqualification matters and the Exchange believes that the 
CRO's role in the process will provide sufficient oversight and 
independence. Third, the Exchange does not propose to adopt the text of 
FINRA Rule 9526, which provides for expedited proceedings by the FINRA 
Board of Governors in certain instances. The Exchange believes that its 
proposed rules for review can be carried out in a timely manner and 
would sufficiently protect investors. The Exchange historically has not 
provided an expedited statutory disqualification review. As such, to 
maintain consistency with FINRA's rule numbering, proposed NYSE Rules 
9525 and 9526 would be designated ``Reserved.'' Proposed NYSE Rule 9527 
contains only a technical change to FINRA's rule text.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ Proposed NYSE Rule 9559(q), which provides for calls for 
review by the Exchange Board of Directors of proposed decisions by a 
Hearing Officer or Hearing Panel rendered under the proposed NYSE 
Rule 9550 Series, does not apply to the proposed NYSE Rule 9520 
Series because the statutory disqualification proceedings provide 
for staff determinations rather than adjudicatory decisions by a 
Hearing Officer or Hearing Panel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed NYSE Rules 9550 Through 9559
    Proposed NYSE Rules 9550 through 9559 would govern expedited 
proceedings.
    The Exchange does not believe that it is necessary to adopt the 
text of FINRA Rule 9551, which concerns failure to comply with the 
advertising and sales literature requirements in NASD Rule 2210. All 
NYSE member organizations that circulate advertising or sales 
literature are by definition doing business with the public, and 
therefore must be members of FINRA and are already subject to FINRA 
Rules 2210 and 9551. In addition, under the SEC Rule 17d-2 agreement, 
FINRA is allocated responsibility for NYSE Rule 472, NYSE's counterpart 
to NASD Rule 2210.\42\ As such, proposed NYSE Rule 9551 would be 
designated ``Reserved'' to maintain consistency with FINRA's rule 
numbering.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ See supra note 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed NYSE Rule 9552 would establish procedures in the event 
that a member organization or covered person failed to provide any 
information, report, material, data, or testimony requested or required 
to be filed under the Exchange's rules, or failed to keep its 
membership application or supporting documents current. In the event of 
the foregoing, under proposed NYSE Rule 9552, the member organization 
or covered person could be suspended if corrective action were not 
taken within 21 days after service of notice. A member organization or 
covered person served with a notice could request a hearing within the 
21-day period. A member organization or covered person subject to a 
suspension could file a written request for termination of the 
suspension on the ground of full compliance. A member organization or 
covered person suspended under the proposed rule change that failed to 
request termination of the suspension within three months of issuance 
of the original notice of suspension would automatically be expelled or 
barred.\43\
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    \43\ The Exchange believes that the provision for automatic 
expulsion or bar after three months is consistent with Section 6 of 
the Act because the respondent would have ample notice and 
opportunity to be heard under proposed NYSE Rule 9552, the proposed 
rule is substantially the same as FINRA's counterpart rule, and the 
Commission has upheld at least one bar under a prior version of 
FINRA's rule. See, e.g., Dennis A. Pearson, Jr., Securities Exchange 
Act Rel. Nos. 54913 (December 11, 2006) (dismissing application for 
review by associated person barred under NASD Rule 9552(h)) and 
55597A (April 6, 2007) (denying motion for reconsideration).

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[[Page 5232]]

    The text of the proposed rule change is substantially the same as 
that in FINRA's counterpart rule, except for conforming and technical 
changes and except that it does not include the text of FINRA Rule 
9552(i), which requires a notice to FINRA's membership of final action 
under the rule. The Exchange does not propose to include a notice 
requirement because it would be duplicative of proposed NYSE Rule 8313.
    There is no provision for such an expedited proceeding under the 
NYSE's current rules. Under current NYSE Rule 476(a)(11), a member 
organization or covered person is subject to a regular, as opposed to 
expedited, disciplinary proceeding for failure to submit books and 
records or provide testimony upon request of the Exchange and for 
failure to update a Form BD.
    The Exchange does not propose to adopt the text of FINRA Rule 9553, 
which concerns failure to pay fees, dues, assessments or other charges. 
As described above, the Exchange proposes to adopt the text of FINRA 
Rule 8320, which addresses the non-payment of fines and monetary 
sanctions and would continue to use NYSE Rule 309 for non-payment of 
all other amounts due to the Exchange. Accordingly, proposed NYSE Rule 
9553 would be designated ``Reserved'' to maintain consistency with 
FINRA's rule numbering.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9554 would contain similar procedures and 
consequences as proposed NYSE Rule 9552 relating to a failure to comply 
with an arbitration award or related settlement or an Exchange order of 
restitution or Exchange settlement agreement providing for restitution. 
Under proposed NYSE Rule 9554, if a member organization or covered 
person failed to comply with an arbitration award or a settlement 
agreement related to an arbitration or mediation under the Exchange's 
rules, or an Exchange order of restitution or Exchange settlement 
agreement providing for restitution, Exchange staff could provide 
written notice to such covered person or member organization stating 
that the failure to comply within 21 days of service of the notice will 
result in a suspension or cancellation of membership or a suspension 
from associating with any member organization. The text of the proposed 
rule change is substantially the same as that in FINRA's counterpart 
rule, except for technical and conforming changes, and except that it 
does not include the text of FINRA Rule 9554(h), which requires a 
notice to FINRA's membership of final action under the Rule, because it 
would be duplicative of proposed NYSE Rule 8313. Under current NYSE 
Rule 600A(c), the failure to honor an arbitration award subjects a 
member organization, member, or registered person to a regular 
disciplinary proceeding under NYSE Rule 476.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9555 would govern the failure to meet the 
eligibility or qualification standards or prerequisites for access to 
services offered by the Exchange. Under proposed NYSE Rule 9555, if a 
member organization or covered person did not meet the eligibility or 
qualification standards set forth in the Exchange's rules, Exchange 
staff could provide written notice to such covered person or member 
organization stating that the failure to become eligible or qualified 
will result in a suspension or cancellation of membership or a 
suspension or bar from associating with any member organization. 
Similarly, if a member organization or covered person did not meet the 
prerequisites for access to services offered by the Exchange or a 
member organization thereof or could not be permitted to continue to 
have access to services offered by the Exchange or a member 
organization thereof with safety to investors, creditors, members, or 
the Exchange, Exchange staff could provide written notice to such 
member organization or covered person limiting or prohibiting access to 
services offered by the Exchange or a member organization thereof. The 
limitation, prohibition, suspension, cancellation, or bar referenced in 
the notice would become effective 14 days after service of the notice 
unless the member organization or covered person requested a hearing 
during that time, except that the effective date for a notice of a 
limitation or prohibition on access to services would be upon service 
of the notice. The text of the proposed rule change is substantially 
the same as that in FINRA's counterpart rule, except for conforming and 
technical changes and except that it does not include the text of FINRA 
Rule 9555(h), which requires a notice of final action under the Rule, 
because it would be duplicative of proposed NYSE Rule 8313.
    As described above, under Rule 475(a), the Exchange currently may 
prohibit or limit access to services offered by the Exchange or any 
member or member organization thereof if the Exchange has provided 15 
days' prior written notice of, and an opportunity to be heard upon, the 
specific grounds for such prohibition or limitation, and provides a 
written decision.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9556 would provide procedures and consequences 
for a failure to comply with temporary and permanent cease and desist 
orders, which would be authorized by proposed NYSE Rule 9810. The text 
of proposed NYSE Rule 9556 is the same as FINRA Rule 9556, except in 
the following respects. First, the text contains conforming and 
technical changes. Second, under FINRA's rule, FINRA's CEO authorizes 
proceedings under FINRA Rule 9556; under the Exchange's proposed rule, 
the Exchange's CRO would have such authority. Third, FINRA's rule 
permits service of process by facsimile; the Exchange does not believe 
that this alternative service method is necessary and the service 
methods permitted under proposed NYSE Rule 9134 (which are identical to 
FINRA Rule 9134) would be sufficient. Finally, the Exchange does not 
propose to include a notice to its membership of decisions under the 
rule, as FINRA does, because it would be duplicative of proposed NYSE 
Rule 8313. The Exchange currently does not issue temporary or permanent 
cease and desist orders and, as such, there is no counterpart in the 
Exchange's current rules.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9557 would allow the Exchange to issue a notice 
directing a member organization to comply with the provisions of NYSE 
Rule 4110 (Capital Compliance), 4120 (Regulatory Notification and 
Business Curtailment), or 4130 (Regulation of Activities of Section 15C 
Member Organizations Experiencing Financial and/or Operational 
Difficulties) or otherwise directing it to restrict its business 
activities. The notice would be immediately effective, except that a 
timely request for a hearing would stay the effective date for 10 
business days (unless the Exchange's CRO determined otherwise) or until 
an order was issued by the Office of Hearing Officers, whichever was 
earlier. The notice could be withdrawn upon a showing that all the 
requirements were met.
    The text of the proposed rule change is substantially the same as 
that in FINRA Rule 9557, except in the following respects. First, the 
text contains conforming and technical changes. Second, under FINRA's 
rule, FINRA's CEO exercises authority with respect to stays under the 
rule; under the Exchange's proposed rule, the Exchange's CRO would have 
such authority. Third, FINRA's rule permits service of process by 
facsimile; the Exchange does not believe that this alternative service 
method is necessary

[[Page 5233]]

for the reasons stated above. Finally, the Exchange does not propose to 
include a notice to its membership of decisions under the rule, as 
FINRA does, because it would be duplicative of proposed NYSE Rule 8313.
    Currently, if a member organization fails to comply with NYSE Rule 
4110, 4120, or 4130 (which are substantially the same as FINRA Rules 
4110, 4120, and 4130), the Exchange issues a notice, for FINRA members, 
pursuant to FINRA Rule 9557, and for member organizations that are not 
FINRA members, pursuant to NYSE Rule 475(b), which authorizes summary 
suspensions, as described above.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9558 would allow the Exchange's CRO to provide 
written authorization to the Exchange staff to issue a written notice 
for a summary proceeding for an action authorized by Section 6(d)(3) of 
the Act. Such notice would be immediately effective. The text of the 
proposed rule change is substantially the same as that in FINRA Rule 
9558, except as follows. First, the text contains conforming and 
technical changes. Second, under FINRA's rule, FINRA's CEO authorizes 
such proceedings. Third, FINRA's rule permits service of process by 
facsimile; the Exchange does not believe that this alternative service 
method is necessary for the reasons stated above. Finally, the Exchange 
does not propose to include a notice to its membership of decisions 
under the rule, as FINRA does, because it would be duplicative of 
proposed NYSE Rule 8313. Such summary proceedings are currently 
authorized under NYSE Rule 475(b), under which the Exchange has 
authority to summarily suspend a member organization that is expelled 
or suspended by another SRO or a covered person that is barred or 
suspended by an SRO or limit or prohibit any person with respect to 
access to Exchange services in certain circumstances; while this rule 
also provides for notice and an opportunity for a hearing, it does not 
set forth a specific time limit for requesting a hearing.
    Proposed NYSE Rule 9559 would set forth uniform hearing procedures 
for all expedited proceedings under the proposed NYSE Rule 9550 Series. 
Proposed NYSE Rule 9559 differs from FINRA Rule 9559 as follows. First, 
any call for review would be conducted by the Exchange's Board of 
Directors rather than FINRA's NAC. Second, the Exchange would not 
utilize current or former members of the FINRA Financial Responsibility 
Committee for proceedings initiated under proposed NYSE Rule 9557, as 
FINRA does under its counterpart rule. The Exchange would use the same 
pool of Hearing Panelists from the Hearing Board as it uses for other 
proceedings. Third, any instance in FINRA's rule that authorized 
FINRA's CEO to act would instead authorize the Exchange's CRO to act. 
Fourth, the Exchange does not propose to adopt the text of FINRA Rule 
9559(r), which provides for the publication of decisions under the 
Rule, because it would be duplicative of proposed NYSE Rule 8313. 
Fifth, the Exchange does not propose to adopt the text of FINRA Rule 
9559(q)(1) that sets forth 14-day and 21-day call for review periods 
because a call for review period would be described in proposed NYSE 
Rule 9310. Proposed NYSE Rule 9559(q)(1) will instead state that calls 
for review would be conducted in accordance with proposed NYSE Rule 
9310, which, consistent with the time period in current NYSE Rule 
476(f), would provide for a 25-day call for review period. Finally, the 
proposed text contains conforming and technical changes. Currently, the 
Exchange does not have a rule comparable to FINRA Rule 9559.
Proposed NYSE Rule 9600 Series
    The Exchange proposes to adopt a new NYSE Rule 9600 Series, which 
would set forth procedures by which a member organization could seek 
exemptive relief from current NYSE Rules 4311(carrying agreements) and 
4360 (fidelity bonds) and proposed NYSE Rule 8211 (submission of 
electronic blue sheet data). Under proposed NYSE Rule 9610, a member 
organization seeking exemptive relief would be required to file a 
written application with the appropriate department or staff of the 
Exchange and provide a copy of the application to the CRO. Under 
proposed NYSE Rule 9620, after considering the application, the 
Exchange staff would be required to issue a written decision setting 
forth its findings and conclusions. The decision would be served on the 
Applicant pursuant to proposed NYSE Rules 9132 and 9134. Under proposed 
NYSE Rule 9630, an Applicant that wished to appeal the decision would 
be required to file a written notice of appeal with the Exchange's CRO 
within 15 calendar days after service of the decision. Under proposed 
NYSE Rule 9630(e), the CRO would affirm, modify, or reverse the 
decision issued under proposed NYSE Rule 9620 and issue a written 
decision setting forth his or her findings and conclusions and serve 
the decision on the Applicant. The decision would be served pursuant to 
proposed NYSE Rules 9132 and 9134, would be effective upon service, and 
would constitute final action of the Exchange.
    The rule text would be modeled on FINRA's Rule 9600 Series; the 
Exchange's proposed rules primarily differ from FINRA's in that they 
contain technical and conforming changes and that the Exchange's CRO, 
rather than FINRA's Office of General Counsel, would receive the 
request and any notice of appeal, and the CRO, rather than FINRA's NAC, 
would carry out the proposed appellate process.\44\ Currently, NYSE 
Rule 410A(d) permits a member organization to seek an exception from 
the data format elements for submitting electronic blue sheets for 
transactions effected on the Exchange, but the Rule does not set forth 
specific procedures for doing so. Current NYSE Rule 4360, which 
concerns fidelity bonds, references FINRA's exemptive process; this 
rule would be amended to delete the reference to the FINRA Rule 9600 
Series as the Exchange would now have its own such provisions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ Currently, the FINRA Rule 9600 Series also permits FINRA 
members to seek exemptive relief from other rules--NASD Rules 1021, 
1050, 1070, 2210, 2340, 3010(b)(2), or 3150, or FINRA Rules 2114, 
2310, 2359, 2360, 4210, 4320, 5110, 5121, 5122, 5130, 6183, 6625, 
6731, 7470, 8213, 11870, or 11900, or Municipal Securities 
Rulemaking Board Rule G-37. If NYSE adopts similar rules in the 
future as part of the rules harmonization project, it will consider 
permitting member organizations to seek exemptive relief through the 
NYSE Rule 9600 Series.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed NYSE Rule 9700 Series
    FINRA's Rule 9700 Series provides redress for persons aggrieved by 
the operations of any automated quotation, execution, or communication 
system owned or operated by FINRA. As this would be inapplicable to the 
Exchange, the Exchange proposes to designate the proposed NYSE Rule 
9700 Series as reserved to maintain consistency with FINRA's rule 
numbering conventions. The Exchange notes that under current NYSE Rule 
18, if a member organization suffers a loss related to an Exchange 
system failure, it can submit a claim pursuant to the procedures of 
that rule.
Proposed NYSE Rule 9800 Series
    The Exchange proposes to adopt a new NYSE Rule 9800 Series to set 
forth procedures for issuing temporary cease and desist orders. Under 
proposed NYSE Rule 9810, with the prior written authorization of the 
Exchange's CRO or such other senior officers as the CRO may designate, 
FINRA's Department of Enforcement or the Department of Market 
Regulation could initiate a temporary cease and desist proceeding with 
respect to alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the Act, SEC Rules 
10b-

[[Page 5234]]

5 and 15g-1 through 15g-9, NYSE Rule 2010 (if the alleged violation is 
unauthorized trading, or misuse or conversion of customer assets, or is 
based on violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933) or 
NYSE Rule 2020. Proposed NYSE Rule 9820 would govern the appointment of 
a Hearing Officer and Panelists.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9830, the hearing would be held not later 
than 15 days after service of the notice and filing initiating the 
temporary cease and desist proceeding, unless otherwise extended by the 
Hearing Officer with the consent of the Parties for good cause shown. 
Proposed NYSE Rule 9830 would govern how the hearing was conducted.
    Under proposed NYSE Rule 9840, the Hearing Panel would be 
authorized to issue a written decision stating whether a temporary 
cease and desist order would be imposed. The Hearing Panel would be 
required to issue the decision not later than 10 days after receipt of 
the hearing transcript, unless otherwise extended by the Hearing 
Officer with the consent of the Parties for good cause shown. Under 
proposed NYSE Rule 9850, at any time after the Office of Hearing 
Officers served the Respondent with a temporary cease and desist order, 
a Party could apply to the Hearing Panel to have the order modified, 
set aside, limited, or suspended. The Hearing Panel generally would be 
required to respond to the request in writing within 10 days after 
receipt of the request. Proposed NYSE Rule 9860 would authorize the 
initiation of a suspension or cancellation of a Respondent's 
association or membership under proposed NYSE Rule 9556 if the 
Respondent violated a temporary cease and desist order.
    Finally, proposed NYSE Rule 9870 would provide that temporary cease 
and desist orders issued under the proposed NYSE Rule 9800 Series would 
constitute final and immediately effective disciplinary sanctions 
imposed by the Exchange, and that the right to have any action under 
this rule series reviewed by the Commission would be governed by 
Section 19 of the Act. The filing of an application for review would 
not stay the effectiveness of the temporary cease and desist order, 
unless the Commission otherwise ordered.
    The proposed rule text would be substantially the same as that in 
FINRA's Rule 9800 Series, except for conforming and technical 
amendments and except that the Exchange's CRO, rather than FINRA's CEO, 
would authorize the initiation of temporary cease and desist 
proceedings and the initiation of suspension or cancellation 
proceedings for a violation of a temporary cease and desist order. As 
noted above, the Exchange currently does not have procedures comparable 
to FINRA's Rule 9800 Series.
Technical and Conforming Changes
    The Exchange proposes technical and conforming changes to NYSE 
Rules 2A, 20, 36, 103B, 309, 345A, 600A, 619, 772, 1301, 1301A, 1301B, 
4110, 4120, 4130, and 4360 and NYSE Rule Interpretation 345A.
    NYSE Rule 2A would be amended to specify that the list of 
disciplinary sanctions currently set forth in that Rule would apply to 
proceedings under current NYSE Rules 475 and 476, and the list of 
disciplinary sanctions set forth in proposed NYSE Rule 8310(a) would 
apply to proceedings initiated under the proposed NYSE Rule 9000 
Series.
    Current NYSE Rule 20(b) requires that NYSE Regulation establish a 
Regulatory Advisory Committee, which includes persons associated with 
member organizations and representatives of both those member 
organizations doing business on the Floor of the Exchange and those who 
do not do business on the Floor. The Regulatory Advisory Committee acts 
in an advisory capacity regarding disciplinary matters and regulatory 
rules other than trading rules. The Exchange proposes to delete the 
reference to the Regulatory Advisory Committee acting in an advisory 
capacity regarding disciplinary matters because it would not perform 
such a function under the proposed rule change--only the Adjudicators 
specified under the proposed rule change would have authority over 
disciplinary proceedings. The Regulatory Advisory Committee has not 
performed this function since FINRA assumed responsibility for the 
Exchange's disciplinary proceedings; as such, the Exchange proposes to 
remove this out-of-date reference in NYSE Rule 20(b).
    NYSE Rule 36 would be amended to include a reference to proposed 
NYSE Rule 9558, which relates to summary proceedings for actions 
authorized by Section 6(d)(3) of the Act.
    NYSE Rule 103B would be amended to include references to the 
proposed NYSE Rule 8000 Series and Rule 9000 Series, which would 
contain proceedings for which a Designated Market Maker (``DMM'') unit 
could lose its registration in a specialty stock.
    As noted above, NYSE Rule 309 would be amended to replace the term 
``allied member'' with ``principal executive'' \45\ and update a cross-
reference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ See supra note 16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NYSE Rule 345A would be amended to delete a reference to NYSE Rule 
346(f) because NYSE Rule 346 was recently deleted in its entirety.
    NYSE Rule 600A would be amended to correct typographical errors in 
the rule title, include references to the disciplinary proceedings of 
the proposed NYSE Rule 8000 Series and Rule 9000 Series for failure to 
honor an arbitration award, and change references from ``NASD DR'' to 
``FINRA.''
    NYSE Rule 619 would be amended to include a reference to proposed 
NYSE Rule 8210, which would govern the authority of the Exchange to 
request information and testimony.
    NYSE Rule 772 would be amended to include references to the 
disciplinary proceedings of the proposed NYSE Rule 8000 Series and Rule 
9000 Series, which would govern ways in which a member organization may 
be suspended.
    NYSE Rules 1301, 1301A, and 1301B would be amended to include a 
reference to the proposed NYSE Rule 8000 Series, which would govern the 
production of books and records, and replace the term ``allied member'' 
with ``principal executive.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NYSE Rules 4110, 4120, and 4130 would be amended to revise a cross-
reference to FINRA Rule 9557 as the Exchange proposes to adopt NYSE 
Rule 9557.
    NYSE Rule 4360 would be amended to provide that any request for an 
exemption would be processed under the proposed NYSE Rule 9600 Series 
rather than FINRA rules.
    NYSE Rule Interpretation 345A would be amended to include a 
reference to the proposed Rule 9000 Series, which would govern the time 
periods allowed to appeal or request a review.

Certain Current Exchange Rules Not Included in Proposed Rule Text

    Certain aspects of current Exchange rules described above would not 
be included in the proposed NYSE Rule 8000-9000 Series, either because 
the Exchange does not believe they are necessary or the authority is 
implicit in the proposed rule change.
    First, under current NYSE Rule 475(f), any person suspended under 
current Rule 475 may, at any time, be reinstated by the Exchange Board 
of Directors. The Exchange does not believe that it would continue to 
be appropriate for the Exchange Board of Directors to have the 
authority to overturn a suspension imposed by another Adjudicator in 
light of the detailed procedural rules, comprehensive protections to 
Respondents, and continued availability

[[Page 5235]]

of the Exchange's appeals process under the proposed rule change.
    Second, under current NYSE Rules 475(g) and 476(k), any person 
suspended under such rules may be disciplined in accordance with the 
Exchange's rules for any offense committed before or after the 
suspension. The Exchange believes that such authority is implicit in 
proposed NYSE Rule 9211 and need not be express in the proposed rule 
change.
    Under current NYSE Rules 475(h) and 476(j) and (k), a suspended 
person is deprived during the term of the suspension of all rights and 
privileges of membership, and any suspension of a member or allied 
member creates a vacancy in any office or position held by such member 
or allied member. The Exchange believes that this is implicit in the 
concept of a suspension and need not be express in the proposed rule 
change.
    Under current NYSE Rule 476(i), a member or allied member of the 
Exchange who is associated with a member organization is liable to the 
same discipline and penalties for any act or omission of such member 
organization as for the member or allied member's own personal act or 
omission. The Hearing Panel that considers the charges may relieve him 
from the penalty therefor or may adjust the penalty on such terms and 
conditions as the Hearing Panel or the Exchange Board of Directors 
deems fair and equitable. The Exchange believes that this authority is 
contained in proposed rule change because complaints may be brought 
against both member organizations and covered persons and are subject 
to review by Hearing Panel and the Exchange Board of Directors.
2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the 
Act,\47\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of 
the Act,\48\ in particular, in that it is designed to prevent 
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and 
equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination 
with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and to 
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system. In addition, the Exchange believes 
that the proposed rule furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(7) of 
the Act,\49\ in particular, in that it provides fair procedures for the 
disciplining of members and persons associated with members, the denial 
of membership to any person seeking membership therein, the barring of 
any person from becoming associated with a member thereof, and the 
prohibition or limitation by the Exchange of any person with respect to 
access to services offered by the Exchange or a member thereof. In 
addition, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change furthers 
the objectives of Section 6(b)(3) of the Act,\50\ in particular, in 
that it supports the fair representation of members \51\ in the 
administration of the Exchange's affairs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \48\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \49\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(7).
    \50\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(3).
    \51\ The Exchange's equivalent to the term ``member'' in this 
context is ``member organization.'' See supra note 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed changes will provide greater harmonization between 
Exchange and FINRA rules of similar purpose, resulting in less 
burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance for dual members. 
As previously noted, in many instances the proposed rule text is 
identical to FINRA's current rule text,\52\ which already has been 
approved by the Commission, and in many other cases the differences 
between current FINRA rules and the proposed rules would be strictly 
technical in nature.\53\ As such, the proposed rule change will foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities and will remove impediments to and perfect 
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ See supra note 9.
    \53\ See supra note 17.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Certain key aspects of the Exchange's disciplinary proceedings 
would be retained. In particular, the Exchange would retain its current 
selection process for Hearing Panelists. The Exchange believes that it 
is necessary to do so in order to provide a fair procedure to its 
member organizations and covered persons, some of which are not subject 
to FINRA's jurisdiction. As such, the Exchange's Hearing Panelists 
cannot be drawn solely from a pool of FINRA members and associated 
persons but rather must include NYSE-only member organizations and 
persons with experience in NYSE Floor matters in order for the 
Exchange's members to have a fair representation in its affairs. For 
the same reasons, the Exchange also believes that its current Board of 
Directors remains the appropriate body for appeals or reviews of 
initial disciplinary decisions because its Board of Directors includes 
fair representation candidates from its membership. A FINRA-only 
appellate body would not provide such representation. Similarly, the 
Exchange believes that its CRO is better suited to resolving certain 
procedural matters and rendering certain decisions under the proposed 
rule change because the Exchange's CRO will have greater familiarity 
with the Exchange's rules and membership than would FINRA's General 
Counsel.
    The Exchange further believes that the proposed processes for 
settling disciplinary matters both before and after the issuance of a 
complaint are fair and reasonable. While such proposed rules differ 
both from certain aspects of the Exchange's current Stipulation and 
Consent process and FINRA's current settlement processes, the Exchange 
believes that the proposed rule change nonetheless provides adequate 
procedural protections to all Parties and promotes efficiency. In 
particular, the Exchange believes that it would be fair and efficient 
to have the Office of Disciplinary Affairs act as a check and balance 
against the agreements reached by the Parties for resolving 
disciplinary matters.
    Finally, the Exchange would retain its list of minor rule 
violations, which have already been approved by the Commission,\54\ 
with certain technical and conforming amendments, while adopting 
FINRA's minor rule violation fine levels and process for imposing them, 
which also have already been approved by the Commission.\55\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ The most recent amendments to the Exchange's minor rule 
violation plan were approved in Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
66758 (April 6, 2012) 77 FR 22032 (April 12, 2012) (SR-NYSE-2012-
05).
    \55\ See FINRA Rule 9216(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The [sic] 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. The proposed 
rule change is not designed to address any competitive issues but 
rather is designed to provide greater harmonization between Exchange 
and FINRA rules of similar purpose for investigations and disciplinary 
matters, resulting in less burdensome and more efficient regulatory 
compliance for dual members and facilitating FINRA's performance of its 
regulatory functions under the RSA.

[[Page 5236]]

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove the proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

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 email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSE-2013-02 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2013-02. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email 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 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the NYSE's principal office and on its 
Internet Web site at 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-NYSE-2013-02, and should be submitted on or before 
February 14, 2013.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\56\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-01375 Filed 1-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P