Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Pilot Period for the Exchange's Supplemental Competitive Liquidity Provider Program, 26591-26593 [2016-10270]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 85 / Tuesday, May 3, 2016 / Notices reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. * * * * * Members of the public may request to receive this information electronically. If you would like to be added to the distribution, please contact the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC 20555 (301– 415–1969), or email Brenda.Akstulewicz@nrc.gov or Patricia.Jimenez@nrc.gov. Dated: April 28, 2016. Denise McGovern, Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–10373 Filed 4–29–16; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY Draft Report on Strengthening the Medicolegal Death Investigation System: Improving Data Systems Notice of request for public comment. ACTION: The nation’s approximately 2,400 medical examiner and coroner (ME/C) jurisdictions investigate nearly 500,000 deaths each year and perform post-mortem examinations and/or autopsies to determine the cause of death. While the function and organization of these offices vary by state, medical examiners and coroners typically investigate deaths that are sudden and unexpected, deaths that have no attending physician, and all suspicious and violent deaths. Strengthening the ME/C system is critical for improving the accuracy and reliability of these death investigations and will benefit public health and safety programs, law enforcement investigations, and the development of interventions to prevent deaths nationwide. The National Science and Technology Council’s Fast Track Action Committee on Strengthening the Medicolegal Death Investigation System was chartered in July 2015 to make strategic policy recommendations at the Federal level on how to address issues related to accessing and working with data generated by ME/C offices. Importantly, these policy recommendations will not only strengthen medicolegal death investigations, but would also enhance public health and the integrity of the criminal justice system, and further public health and medical research. The Committee is seeking input on a series of specific questions, as well as general feedback on the content of the report. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:53 May 02, 2016 Jkt 238001 Responses must be received by May 27, 2016 to be considered. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Web form: https:// www.whitehouse.gov/webform/ Medicolegal-Death-InvestigationSystem-Public-Comment • Fax: (202) 456–6027, Attn: Eleanor Celeste. • Mail: Attn: Eleanor Celeste, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Eisenhower Executive Office Building, 1650 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20504. Instructions: Response to this Request for Public Comment is voluntary. Responses exceeding 1,000 words will not be considered. Please reference page numbers in your response, as appropriate. Submission via web form is preferred. Responses to this Request for Public Comment may be posted online without change online. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) therefore requests that no business proprietary information, copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information be submitted in response to this request. Please note that the U.S. Government will not pay for response preparation, or for the use of any information contained in the response. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eleanor Celeste, (202) 456–4444, Science@ostp.eop.gov, OSTP. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 2009 National Research Council report ‘‘Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward’’ described the current Medicolegal Death Investigation System (MDIS) as fragmented, inconsistent, and of insufficient quality for the needs of health, consumer safety, and law enforcement officials. The report identified a number of specific problems with the current system. Many Federal agencies rely on the data generated by the MDIS to further their missions, and therefore share an interest in ensuring that these data are accurate, reliable, and readily accessible. In 2015, OSTP established under the National Science and Technology Council a Fast-Track Action Committee on Strengthening the Medicolegal Death Investigation System (FTAC–SMDIS) to identify and recommend strategic policy measures that can be implemented by Federal agencies in coordination with State and local agencies to improve the quality, uniformity, and availability of MDIS data in order to maximize the utility of these data for Federal purposes. More than 12 Federal departments, agencies, and components of the DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 26591 Executive Office of the President comprised the FTAC–SMDIS. Together the group identified current uses of MDIS data by Federal agencies, existing barriers to accessing and working with these data, data quality issues, and opportunities for addressing those challenges. The group developed a report detailing specific recommendations on actions the Federal government as well as State, local, and Tribal entities can take on priority issues to improve data systems for the MDIS. SMDIS–FTAC now is seeking public comment on this report (available at: https:// www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ microsites/ostp/NSTC/strengthening_ the_medicolegal_death_investigation_ system_draft_for_public_comment_ 4_21.pdf) in advance of finalizing the document for publication. The Committee is seeking specific input on the following questions, as well as general feedback on the content of the report. • Are there scientific and technical issues surrounding data quality and access within the MDI System that the FTAC should be aware of and include in its report? • Are there additional recommendations to improve data systems that would be impactful to the MDI System, based on the scientific and technical literature? Ted Wackler, Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Director. [FR Doc. 2016–10308 Filed 5–2–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3270–F6–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–77721; File No. SR– BatsBZX–2016–11] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Pilot Period for the Exchange’s Supplemental Competitive Liquidity Provider Program April 27, 2016. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on April 22, 2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II 1 15 2 17 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. E:\FR\FM\03MYN1.SGM 03MYN1 26592 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 85 / Tuesday, May 3, 2016 / Notices below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange filed a proposal to extend the pilot period for the Exchange’s Supplemental Competitive Liquidity Provider Program (the ‘‘Program’’), which is currently set to expire on April 28, 2016, for three months, to expire on July 28, 2016. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange’s Web site at www.batstrading.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 Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background On August 30, 2011, the Exchange received approval of rules applicable to the qualification, listing and delisting of securities of issuers on the Exchange.3 More recently, the Exchange received approval to operate a pilot program that is designed to incentivize certain Market Makers 4 registered with the Exchange as ETP CLPs, as defined in Interpretation and Policy .03 to Rule 11.8, to enhance liquidity on the Exchange in certain ETPs 5 listed on the Exchange and thereby qualify to receive part of a daily rebate as part of the 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65225 (August 30, 2011), 76 FR 55148 (September 6, 2011) (SR–BATS–2011–018). 4 As defined in BZX Rules, the term ‘‘Market Maker’’ means a Member that acts as a market maker pursuant to Chapter XI of BZX Rules. 5 ETP is defined in Interpretation and Policy .03(b)(4) to Rule 11.8. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:53 May 02, 2016 Jkt 238001 Program under Interpretation and Policy .03 to Rule 11.8.6 The Program was approved by the Commission on a pilot basis running one-year from the date of implementation.7 The Commission approved the Program on July 28, 2014.8 The Exchange implemented the Program on July 28, 2014 and the pilot period for the Program was originally scheduled to end on July 28, 2015 until it was extended to end on October 28, 2015,9 later extended to January 28, 2016,10 and, most recently, extended to April 28, 2016.11 Proposal To Extend the Operation of the Program The Exchange established the Program in order to enhance liquidity on the Exchange in certain ETPs listed on the Exchange (and thereby enhance the Exchange’s ability to compete as a listing venue) by providing a mechanism by which ETP CLPs compete for part of a daily quoting incentive on the basis of providing the most aggressive quotes with the greatest amount of size. Such competition has the ability to reduce spreads, facilitate the price discovery process, and reduce costs for investors trading in such securities, thereby promoting capital formation and helping the Exchange to compete as a listing venue. The Exchange believes that extending the pilot is appropriate because the Exchange has prepared and is also planning to submit a proposal to make the Program permanent. As part of this proposal, the Exchange has also prepared a report analyzing the Program. As such, the Exchange believes that it is appropriate to extend the current operation of the Program for three months in order to provide enough time for the Program to continue operating while such proposal is under consideration by the Commission. Through this filing, the Exchange seeks to extend the current pilot period of the Program until July 28, 2016. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with the 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72692 (July 28, 2014), 79 FR 44908 (August 1, 2014) (SR– BATS–2014–022) (‘‘CLP Approval Order’’). 7 See id at 44909. 8 Id. 9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75518 (July 24, 2015), 80 FR 45566 (July 30, 2015 (SR– BATS–2015–55). 10 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76293 (October 28, 2015), 80 FR 67808 (November 3, 2015) (SR–BATS–2015–96). 11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77033 (February 2, 2016), 81 FR 6558 (February 8, 2016) (SR–BATS–2016–12). PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular, with the requirements of section 6(b) of the Act.12 In particular, the Exchange believes the proposed change furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act,13 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. The Exchange believes that extending the pilot period for the Program is consistent with these principles because the Program is reasonably designed to enhance quote competition, improve liquidity in securities listed on the Exchange, support the quality of price discovery, promote market transparency, and increase competition for listings and trade executions, while reducing spreads and transaction costs in such securities. Maintaining and increasing liquidity in Exchange-listed securities will help raise investors’ confidence in the fairness of the market and their transactions. The extension of the pilot period will allow Exchange to continue to operate the Program while its proposal to make the Program permanent is under consideration by the Commission. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The 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 extends an established pilot program for three months, thus allowing the Program to enhance competition in both the listings market and in competition for market makers. The Program will continue to promote competition in the listings market by providing issuers with a vehicle for paying the Exchange additional fees in exchange for incentivizing tighter spreads and deeper liquidity in listed securities and allow the Exchange to continue to compete with similar programs at Nasdaq Stock 12 15 13 15 E:\FR\FM\03MYN1.SGM U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 03MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 85 / Tuesday, May 3, 2016 / Notices Market LLC 14 and NYSE Arca Equities, Inc.15 The Exchange also believes that extending the pilot program for an additional three months will allow the Program to continue to enhance competition among market participants by creating incentives for market makers to compete to make better quality markets. By continuing to require that market makers both meet the quoting requirements and also compete for the daily financial incentives, the quality of quotes on the Exchange will continue to improve. This, in turn, will attract more liquidity to the Exchange and further improve the quality of trading in exchange-listed securities participating in the Program, which will also act to bolster the Exchange’s listing business. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received any written comments from Members or other interested parties. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 16 and paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.17 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not become operative before 30 days from the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),18 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 14 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 69195 (March 20, 2013), 78 FR 18393 (March 26, 2013) (SR–NASDAQ–2012–137). 15 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 69335 (April 5, 2013), 78 FR 35340 (June 12, 2013) (SR– NYSEARCA–2013–34). 16 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 17 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement. 18 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:53 May 02, 2016 Jkt 238001 protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay. The Exchange asserts that waiver of the operative delay will allow the Exchange to extend the Program prior to its expiration on April 28, 2016, which will ensure that the Program continues to operate uninterrupted while the Exchange and the Commission continue to analyze data regarding the Program. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing with the Commission.19 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal 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 No. SR– BatsBZX–2016–11 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File No. SR–BatsBZX–2016–11. 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 19 For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 26593 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 will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. 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 No. SR–BatsBZX– 2016–11 and should be submitted on or before May 24, 2016. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.20 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–10270 Filed 5–2–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–77726; File No. SR–FINRA– 2016–013] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Delay Implementation of FINRA Rule 2242 (Debt Research Analysts and Debt Research Reports) April 27, 2016. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on April 20, 2016, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. FINRA has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a ‘‘non-controversial’’ rule change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 20 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\03MYN1.SGM 03MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26591-26593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10270]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-77721; File No. SR-BatsBZX-2016-11]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend 
the Pilot Period for the Exchange's Supplemental Competitive Liquidity 
Provider Program

April 27, 2016.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on April 22, 2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``BZX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II

[[Page 26592]]

below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission 
is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule 
change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to extend the pilot period for the 
Exchange's Supplemental Competitive Liquidity Provider Program (the 
``Program''), which is currently set to expire on April 28, 2016, for 
three months, to expire on July 28, 2016.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at www.batstrading.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 Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
Background
    On August 30, 2011, the Exchange received approval of rules 
applicable to the qualification, listing and delisting of securities of 
issuers on the Exchange.\3\ More recently, the Exchange received 
approval to operate a pilot program that is designed to incentivize 
certain Market Makers \4\ registered with the Exchange as ETP CLPs, as 
defined in Interpretation and Policy .03 to Rule 11.8, to enhance 
liquidity on the Exchange in certain ETPs \5\ listed on the Exchange 
and thereby qualify to receive part of a daily rebate as part of the 
Program under Interpretation and Policy .03 to Rule 11.8.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65225 (August 30, 
2011), 76 FR 55148 (September 6, 2011) (SR-BATS-2011-018).
    \4\ As defined in BZX Rules, the term ``Market Maker'' means a 
Member that acts as a market maker pursuant to Chapter XI of BZX 
Rules.
    \5\ ETP is defined in Interpretation and Policy .03(b)(4) to 
Rule 11.8.
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72692 (July 28, 
2014), 79 FR 44908 (August 1, 2014) (SR-BATS-2014-022) (``CLP 
Approval Order'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Program was approved by the Commission on a pilot basis running 
one-year from the date of implementation.\7\ The Commission approved 
the Program on July 28, 2014.\8\ The Exchange implemented the Program 
on July 28, 2014 and the pilot period for the Program was originally 
scheduled to end on July 28, 2015 until it was extended to end on 
October 28, 2015,\9\ later extended to January 28, 2016,\10\ and, most 
recently, extended to April 28, 2016.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See id at 44909.
    \8\ Id.
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75518 (July 24, 
2015), 80 FR 45566 (July 30, 2015 (SR-BATS-2015-55).
    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76293 (October 28, 
2015), 80 FR 67808 (November 3, 2015) (SR-BATS-2015-96).
    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77033 (February 2, 
2016), 81 FR 6558 (February 8, 2016) (SR-BATS-2016-12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposal To Extend the Operation of the Program
    The Exchange established the Program in order to enhance liquidity 
on the Exchange in certain ETPs listed on the Exchange (and thereby 
enhance the Exchange's ability to compete as a listing venue) by 
providing a mechanism by which ETP CLPs compete for part of a daily 
quoting incentive on the basis of providing the most aggressive quotes 
with the greatest amount of size. Such competition has the ability to 
reduce spreads, facilitate the price discovery process, and reduce 
costs for investors trading in such securities, thereby promoting 
capital formation and helping the Exchange to compete as a listing 
venue. The Exchange believes that extending the pilot is appropriate 
because the Exchange has prepared and is also planning to submit a 
proposal to make the Program permanent. As part of this proposal, the 
Exchange has also prepared a report analyzing the Program. As such, the 
Exchange believes that it is appropriate to extend the current 
operation of the Program for three months in order to provide enough 
time for the Program to continue operating while such proposal is under 
consideration by the Commission. Through this filing, the Exchange 
seeks to extend the current pilot period of the Program until July 28, 
2016.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that 
are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular, 
with the requirements of section 6(b) of the Act.\12\ In particular, 
the Exchange believes the proposed change furthers the objectives of 
section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\13\ 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. The Exchange believes that 
extending the pilot period for the Program is consistent with these 
principles because the Program is reasonably designed to enhance quote 
competition, improve liquidity in securities listed on the Exchange, 
support the quality of price discovery, promote market transparency, 
and increase competition for listings and trade executions, while 
reducing spreads and transaction costs in such securities. Maintaining 
and increasing liquidity in Exchange-listed securities will help raise 
investors' confidence in the fairness of the market and their 
transactions. The extension of the pilot period will allow Exchange to 
continue to operate the Program while its proposal to make the Program 
permanent is under consideration by the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The 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 
extends an established pilot program for three months, thus allowing 
the Program to enhance competition in both the listings market and in 
competition for market makers. The Program will continue to promote 
competition in the listings market by providing issuers with a vehicle 
for paying the Exchange additional fees in exchange for incentivizing 
tighter spreads and deeper liquidity in listed securities and allow the 
Exchange to continue to compete with similar programs at Nasdaq Stock

[[Page 26593]]

Market LLC \14\ and NYSE Arca Equities, Inc.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 69195 (March 20, 
2013), 78 FR 18393 (March 26, 2013) (SR-NASDAQ-2012-137).
    \15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 69335 (April 5, 
2013), 78 FR 35340 (June 12, 2013) (SR-NYSEARCA-2013-34).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also believes that extending the pilot program for an 
additional three months will allow the Program to continue to enhance 
competition among market participants by creating incentives for market 
makers to compete to make better quality markets. By continuing to 
require that market makers both meet the quoting requirements and also 
compete for the daily financial incentives, the quality of quotes on 
the Exchange will continue to improve. This, in turn, will attract more 
liquidity to the Exchange and further improve the quality of trading in 
exchange-listed securities participating in the Program, which will 
also act to bolster the Exchange's listing business.

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

    The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, 
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received 
any written comments from Members or other interested parties.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \16\ and paragraph 
(f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does 
not become operative before 30 days from the date of the filing. 
However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\18\ the Commission may 
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative 
delay. The Exchange asserts that waiver of the operative delay will 
allow the Exchange to extend the Program prior to its expiration on 
April 28, 2016, which will ensure that the Program continues to operate 
uninterrupted while the Exchange and the Commission continue to analyze 
data regarding the Program. The Commission believes that waiving the 
30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors 
and the public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the 
30-day operative delay and designates the proposed rule change to be 
operative upon filing with the Commission.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this 
proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact 
on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal 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 No. SR-BatsBZX-2016-11 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File No. SR-BatsBZX-2016-11. 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 will also be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. 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 No. SR-BatsBZX-2016-11 and should be 
submitted on or before May 24, 2016.
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-10270 Filed 5-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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