Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 77173-77174 [2013-30274]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 245 / Friday, December 20, 2013 / Notices application for non-public treatment of material. Attachment 2 is a copy of the Agreement. Attachment 3 is the certified statement required by 39 CFR 3015.5(c)(2). Attachment 4 is a copy of Governors’ Decision No. 10–3. The Agreement’s intended effective date is January 1, 2014. Id. at 3. The Agreement is set to expire two years after the effective date, subject to termination pursuant to contractual terms. Id. The Postal Service states that the Agreement is the successor to the 2012 Canada Post Agreement approved in Order No. 1088.3 It also identifies the 2012 Canada Post Agreement as the baseline agreement for purposes of determining functional equivalence. Notice at 2. It asserts that the Agreement fits within applicable Mail Classification Schedule language included in Governors’ Decision No. 10–3. See id. at 3, Attachment 4. The Postal Service identifies differences between the Agreement and the 2012 Canada Post Agreement, such as revisions to existing articles and attachments, but asserts that these differences do not detract from a finding of functional equivalency.4 Notice at 5– 7. In addition, it states that both agreements incorporate the same cost attributes and methodology, thereby making the relevant cost and market characteristics the same. Id. at 6. emcdonald on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES III. Commission Action Notice of establishment of docket. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2014–13 for consideration of matters raised by the Notice. The Commission appoints James F. Callow to serve as Public Representative in this docket. Interested persons may submit comments on whether the Postal Service’s filing in the above-captioned docket is consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 3633, and 3642 and the requirements of 39 CFR parts 3015 and 3020. Comments are due no later than December 23, 2013. The public portions of this filing can be accessed via the Commission’s Web site (https:// International Business Return Service are not included in the Notice because return service to U.S. customers has not yet been launched. Id. at 3– 4. The Postal Service states that it will file an appropriate amendment and corresponding notice prior to the launch of this product. Id. at 4. 3 Notice at 2; Docket No. CP2012–4, Order Adding an Additional Bilateral Agreement to Inbound Competitive Multi-Service Agreements With Foreign Postal Operators 1 Product, December 30, 2011 (Order No. 1088). 4 See, e.g., in Article 13, revisions to procedures related to filings in the regulatory process; in Attachment 5, inclusion of initiatives intended to improve quality of service; and in Attachment 7, inclusion of product development and collaborative initiatives. Notice, Attachment 2 at 4–5, 43–44, 48. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:44 Dec 19, 2013 Jkt 232001 www.prc.gov). Information on obtaining access to sealed material appears in 39 CFR part 3007. IV. Ordering Paragraphs It is ordered: 1. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2014–13 for consideration of matters raised by the Postal Service’s Notice. 2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, James F. Callow is appointed to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. 3. Comments are due no later than December 23, 2013. 4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the Federal Register. By the Commission. Ruth Ann Abrams, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–30335 Filed 12–19–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549–0213. Extension: Rule 17a–13, SEC File No. 270–27, OMB Control No. 3235–0035. Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (‘‘PRA’’) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments on the collection of information provided for in Rule 17a–13 (17 CFR 240.17a–13) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78 et seq.) (‘‘Exchange Act’’). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) for extension and approval. Rule 17a–13(b) (17 CFR 240.17a– 13(b)) generally requires that at least once each calendar quarter, all registered brokers-dealers physically examine and count all securities held and account for all other securities not in their possession, but subject to the broker-dealer’s control or direction. Any discrepancies between the brokerdealer’s securities count and the firm’s records must be noted and, within seven days, the unaccounted for difference PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 77173 must be recorded in the firm’s records. Rule 17a–13(c) (17 CFR 240.17a–13(c)) provides that under specified conditions, the count, examination, and verification of the broker-dealer’s entire list of securities may be conducted on a cyclical basis rather than on a certain date. Although Rule 17a–13 does not require broker-dealers to file a report with the Commission, discrepancies between a broker-dealer’s records and the securities counts may be required to be reported, for example, as a loss on Form X–17a–5 (17 CFR 248.617), which must be filed with the Commission under Exchange Act Rule 17a–5 (17 CFR 240.17a–5). Rule 17a–13 exempts broker-dealers that limit their business to the sale and redemption of securities of registered investment companies and interests or participation in an insurance company separate account and those who solicit accounts for federally insured savings and loan associations, provided that such persons promptly transmit all funds and securities and hold no customer funds and securities. Rule 17a–13 also does not apply to certain broker-dealers required to register only because they effect transactions in securities futures products. The information obtained from Rule 17a–13 is used as an inventory control device to monitor a broker-dealer’s ability to account for all securities held in transfer, in transit, pledged, loaned, borrowed, deposited, or otherwise subject to the firm’s control or direction. Discrepancies between the securities counts and the broker-dealer’s records alert the Commission and applicable self-regulatory organizations (‘‘SROs’’) to those firms experiencing back-office operational issues. Currently, there are approximately 4,462 broker-dealers registered with the Commission. However, given the variability in their businesses, it is difficult to quantify how many hours per year each broker-dealer spends complying with Rule 17a–13. As noted, Rule 17a–13 requires a respondent to account for all securities in its possession or subject to its control or direction. Many respondents hold few, if any, securities; while others hold large quantities. Therefore, the time burden of complying with Rule 17a–13 will depend on respondent-specific factors, including a broker-dealer’s size, number of customers, and proprietary trading activity. The staff estimates that the average time spent per respondent is 100 hours per year on an ongoing basis to maintain the records required under Rule 17a–13. This estimate takes into account the fact that more than half of the 4,462 respondents—according to E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1 77174 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 245 / Friday, December 20, 2013 / Notices emcdonald on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES financial reports filed with the Commission—may spend little or no time complying with the rule, given that they do not do a public securities business or do not hold inventories of securities. For these reasons, the staff estimates that the total compliance burden per year is 446,200 hours (4,462 respondents × 100 hours/respondent). The records required to be made by Rule 17a–13 are available only to Commission examination staff, state securities authorities, and applicable SROs. Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 522, and the Commission’s rules thereunder (17 CFR 200.80(b)(4)(iii)), the Commission does not generally publish or make available information contained in any reports, summaries, analyses, letters, or memoranda arising out of, in anticipation of, or in connection with an examination or inspection of the books and records of any person or any other investigation. Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission’s estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 days of this publication. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Please direct your written comments to: Thomas Bayer, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi PavlikSimon, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, or send an email to: PRA_ Mailbox@sec.gov. Dated: December 16, 2013. Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–30274 Filed 12–19–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:44 Dec 19, 2013 Jkt 232001 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon Written Request Copies Available From: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549–0213. Extension: Rule 15Ba2–6T; SEC File No. 270–618, OMB Control No. 3235–0659. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (‘‘PRA’’) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments on the existing collection of information provided for in Rule 15Ba2–6T— Temporary Registration as a Municipal Advisor; Required Amendments; and Withdrawal from Temporary Registration (17 CFR 240.15Ba2–6T) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (‘‘Exchange Act’’). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) for extension and approval. Paragraph (a) of Rule 15Ba2–6T requires municipal advisors, as defined in Section 15B(e)(4) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78o–4(e)(4)), to electronically file with the Commission on the Commission’s Web site at the following link, Municipal Advisor Registration, the information set forth in Form MA– T (17 CFR 249.1300T) to temporarily register or withdraw from temporary registration. Paragraph (b)(1) of Rule 15Ba2–6T requires municipal advisors to promptly amend their temporary registration whenever information concerning Items 1 (Identifying Information) or 3 (Disciplinary Information) of Form MA– T becomes inaccurate in any way. Paragraph (b)(2) of Rule 15Ba2–6T requires municipal advisors to promptly amend their temporary registration whenever they wish to withdraw from registration. Paragraph (c) of Rule 15Ba2–6T provides that every initial registration, amendment to registration, or withdrawal from registration filed pursuant to this rule constitutes a ‘‘report’’ within the meaning of applicable provisions of the Exchange Act. Paragraph (d) of Rule 15Ba2–6T provides that every Form MA–T, including every amendment to or withdrawal from registration, is considered filed with the Commission when the electronic form on the Commission’s Web site is completed PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and the Commission has sent confirmation to the municipal advisor that the form was filed. Paragraph (e) of Rule 15Ba2–6T provides that all temporary registrations of municipal advisors will expire on the earlier of: (1) The date that the municipal advisor’s permanent registration, submitted pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, is approved or disapproved by the Commission; (2) the date on which the municipal advisor’s temporary registration is rescinded by the Commission; (3) for a municipal advisor that has not applied for permanent registration with the Commission in accordance with the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, forty-five days after the compliance date of such rules for the municipal advisor; or (4) December 31, 2014. Paragraph (f) of Rule 15Ba2–6T provides that Rule 15Ba2–6T will expire on December 31, 2014. The primary purpose of Rule 15Ba2– 6T is to provide information about municipal advisors to investors and issuers, as well as the Commission pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Commission staff estimates that approximately 100 new municipal advisors will file Form MA–T during the period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Commission staff estimates that each of the approximately 100 new municipal advisors will spend an average of 2.5 hours preparing each Form MA–T. Therefore the estimated total reporting burden associated with completing Form MA–T is 250 hours. Additionally, Commission staff estimates that approximately 1,150 municipal advisors currently registered with the Commission and the estimated 100 new municipal advisors will amend (or withdraw) their Form MA–T once during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, and that it will take approximately 30 minutes to amend (or withdraw) their form, which means the total burden associated with amending Form MA–T is 625 hours. Therefore, the total annual burden associated with completing and amending Form MA–T is 875 hours. The Commission believes that some municipal advisors will seek outside counsel to help them comply with the requirements of Rule 15Ba2–6T and Form MA–T, and assumes that 100 municipal advisors will consult outside counsel for one hour for this purpose. The Commission estimates the total cost for these 100 municipal advisors to hire outside counsel to review their compliance with the requirements of E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77173-77174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30274]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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

Extension:
    Rule 17a-13, SEC File No. 270-27, OMB Control No. 3235-0035.

    Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (``PRA'') (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the 
collection of information provided for in Rule 17a-13 (17 CFR 240.17a-
13) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78 et seq.) 
(``Exchange Act''). The Commission plans to submit this existing 
collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget 
(``OMB'') for extension and approval.
    Rule 17a-13(b) (17 CFR 240.17a-13(b)) generally requires that at 
least once each calendar quarter, all registered brokers-dealers 
physically examine and count all securities held and account for all 
other securities not in their possession, but subject to the broker-
dealer's control or direction. Any discrepancies between the broker-
dealer's securities count and the firm's records must be noted and, 
within seven days, the unaccounted for difference must be recorded in 
the firm's records. Rule 17a-13(c) (17 CFR 240.17a-13(c)) provides that 
under specified conditions, the count, examination, and verification of 
the broker-dealer's entire list of securities may be conducted on a 
cyclical basis rather than on a certain date. Although Rule 17a-13 does 
not require broker-dealers to file a report with the Commission, 
discrepancies between a broker-dealer's records and the securities 
counts may be required to be reported, for example, as a loss on Form 
X-17a-5 (17 CFR 248.617), which must be filed with the Commission under 
Exchange Act Rule 17a-5 (17 CFR 240.17a-5). Rule 17a-13 exempts broker-
dealers that limit their business to the sale and redemption of 
securities of registered investment companies and interests or 
participation in an insurance company separate account and those who 
solicit accounts for federally insured savings and loan associations, 
provided that such persons promptly transmit all funds and securities 
and hold no customer funds and securities. Rule 17a-13 also does not 
apply to certain broker-dealers required to register only because they 
effect transactions in securities futures products.
    The information obtained from Rule 17a-13 is used as an inventory 
control device to monitor a broker-dealer's ability to account for all 
securities held in transfer, in transit, pledged, loaned, borrowed, 
deposited, or otherwise subject to the firm's control or direction. 
Discrepancies between the securities counts and the broker-dealer's 
records alert the Commission and applicable self-regulatory 
organizations (``SROs'') to those firms experiencing back-office 
operational issues.
    Currently, there are approximately 4,462 broker-dealers registered 
with the Commission. However, given the variability in their 
businesses, it is difficult to quantify how many hours per year each 
broker-dealer spends complying with Rule 17a-13. As noted, Rule 17a-13 
requires a respondent to account for all securities in its possession 
or subject to its control or direction. Many respondents hold few, if 
any, securities; while others hold large quantities. Therefore, the 
time burden of complying with Rule 17a-13 will depend on respondent-
specific factors, including a broker-dealer's size, number of 
customers, and proprietary trading activity. The staff estimates that 
the average time spent per respondent is 100 hours per year on an 
ongoing basis to maintain the records required under Rule 17a-13. This 
estimate takes into account the fact that more than half of the 4,462 
respondents--according to

[[Page 77174]]

financial reports filed with the Commission--may spend little or no 
time complying with the rule, given that they do not do a public 
securities business or do not hold inventories of securities. For these 
reasons, the staff estimates that the total compliance burden per year 
is 446,200 hours (4,462 respondents x 100 hours/respondent).
    The records required to be made by Rule 17a-13 are available only 
to Commission examination staff, state securities authorities, and 
applicable SROs. Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of 
Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 522, and the Commission's rules thereunder 
(17 CFR 200.80(b)(4)(iii)), the Commission does not generally publish 
or make available information contained in any reports, summaries, 
analyses, letters, or memoranda arising out of, in anticipation of, or 
in connection with an examination or inspection of the books and 
records of any person or any other investigation.
    Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Commission, including whether the information has 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's estimates of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will 
be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 
days of this publication.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    Please direct your written comments to: Thomas Bayer, Director/
Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi 
Pavlik-Simon, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, or send an email 
to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.

    Dated: December 16, 2013.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-30274 Filed 12-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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