Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Senior Management Authority, 36641-36646 [2016-13317]

Download as PDF 36641 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2016 / Notices Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Electronic Comments Sunshine Act Meeting • 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– C2–2016–005 on the subject line. Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the Government in the Sunshine Act, Public Law 94–409, that the Securities and Exchange Commission will hold a closed meeting on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 2 p.m. Commissioners, Counsel to the Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, and recording secretaries will attend the closed meeting. Certain staff members who have an interest in the matters also may be present. The General Counsel of the Commission, or her designee, has certified that, in her opinion, one or more of the exemptions set forth in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(3), (5), (7), 9(B) and (10) and 17 CFR 200.402(a)(3), (a)(5), (a)(7), (a)(9)(ii) and (a)(10), permit consideration of the scheduled matter at the closed meeting. Commissioner Piwowar, as duty officer, voted to consider the items listed for the closed meeting in closed session. The subject matter of the closed meeting will be: Settlement of injunctive actions; Institution and settlement of administrative proceedings; Adjudicatory matters; Opinion; and Other matters relating to enforcement proceedings. At times, changes in Commission priorities require alterations in the scheduling of meeting items. For further information and to ascertain what, if any, matters have been added, deleted or postponed, please contact Brent J. Fields from the Office of the Secretary at (202) 551–5400. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES All submissions should refer to File Number SR–C2–2016–005. 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 the filing also will 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 Number SR–C2– 2016–005, and should be submitted on or before June 28, 2016. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.9 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–13316 Filed 6–6–16; 8:45 am] 19:13 Jun 06, 2016 BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–77962; File No. SR–CBOE– 2016–047] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Senior Management Authority Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Sep<11>2014 [FR Doc. 2016–13478 Filed 6–3–16; 11:15 am] June 1, 2016. BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 9 17 Dated: June 2, 2016. Brent J. Fields, Secretary. Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (‘‘Act’’) 1, and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on May 23, 2016, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘CBOE’’) 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 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 seeks to amend its Bylaws and Rules with respect to delegations of certain authorities to senior management. The text of the proposed rule change is provided below. (additions are italicized; deletions are [bracketed]) * * * * * [SIXTH] SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF CHICAGO BOARD OPTIONS EXCHANGE, INCORPORATED * * * ARTICLE VI * * Advisory Board Section 6.1. Advisory Board. The Board will establish an Advisory Board which shall advise the Board and [the Office of the Chairman] management regarding matters of interest to Trading Permit Holders. It shall consist of such number of members as set by the Board from time to time, including at least two members who are Trading Permit Holders or persons associated with Trading Permit Holders. The Chief Executive Officer, or his or her designee, shall be the Chairman of the Advisory Board. The members of the Advisory Board shall be recommended by the Nominating and Governance Committee for approval by the Board. There shall be a Trading Permit Holders Subcommittee of the Advisory Board consisting of all members of the Advisory Board who are Trading Permit Holders or persons associated with Trading Permit Holders, which shall act as the Representative Director Nominating Body if and to the extent required by these Bylaws. * * * * * 1 15 2 17 E:\FR\FM\07JNN1.SGM U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 07JNN1 36642 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2016 / Notices Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated Rules * * * * * Rule 2.15. Divisions of Exchange The divisions of the Exchange shall include any such divisions as the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer, with the approval of the Board, may establish. The [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer shall appoint a head of every division, provided that the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer shall be the head of the Executive Division. Any official action taken by the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer or the President shall, for purposes of the hearing and review provided for in Chapter XIX, be deemed to be action of the Executive Division. * * * * * asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Rule 4.10. Other Restrictions on Trading Permit Holders (a) In General. Whenever the [Chairman] Chief Executive Officer or President shall find, on the basis of a report of the Department of Compliance or otherwise, that a Trading Permit Holder has failed to perform his contracts or is insolvent or is in such financial or operational condition or is otherwise conducting his business in such a manner that he cannot be permitted to continue in business with safety to his customers or creditors or the Exchange, the [Chairman] Chief Executive Officer or the President may summarily suspend the Trading Permit Holder in accordance with Chapter XVI or may impose such conditions and restrictions upon his being a Trading Permit Holder as he considers reasonably necessary for the protection of the Exchange and the customers of such Trading Permit Holder. (b) Firms Clearing Market-Maker Trades. * * * * * (2) A proposed SBT of a Trading Permit Holder as enumerated in subsection (b)(1)(i) through (iii) is subject to the prior approval of the [Exchange’s Office of the Chairman (‘‘OOC’’)] Chief Executive Officer or President, when the Trading Permit Holder’s Market-Maker clearance activities exceed, or would exceed as a result of the proposed SBT, any of the following parameters: (i) 15% of cleared Exchange MarketMaker contract volume for the most recent three (3) months; (ii) an average of 15% of the number of Exchange registered Market-Makers VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:13 Jun 06, 2016 Jkt 238001 as of each month and for the most recent three (3) months, or (iii) 25% of Market-Maker gross deductions (haircuts) defined by SEC Rule 15c3–1 (a)(6) or (c)(2)(x) carried by the Clearing Trading Permit Holder(s) in relation to the aggregate of such haircuts carried by all other Market-Maker clearing organizations for any month end within the most recent three (3) months. The Exchange shall notify in writing each Trading Permit Holder that clears Market-Maker trades within ten (10) business days from the close of each month of that Trading Permit Holder’s proportion of the market making clearing business, whether or not such business exceeds the parameters described in (i), (ii), and (iii) of this subsection (b)(2). Trading Permit Holders subject to this subsection (b)(2) must provide thirty (30) calendar days notice of the proposed SBT, as enumerated in subsection (b)(1)(i) through (iii), to the President or his designee. The [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President may disapprove a Trading Permit Holder’s proposed SBT, or approve such SBT subject to certain conditions, within the thirty (30) day period. The [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President may disapprove or condition a Trading Permit Holder’s SBT within the thirty (30) day period if the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President determines that such SBT has the potential to threaten the financial or operational integrity of Exchange Market-Maker transactions. (3) In addition, at any time, the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President may impose additional financial and/or operational requirements on a Trading Permit Holder that clears Market-Maker trades when the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President determines that the Trading Permit Holder’s continuance in business without such requirements has the potential to threaten the financial or operational integrity of Exchange Market-Maker transactions. * * * * * (6) In considering a proposed SBT, the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President may consider, among other relevant matters, the following criteria: * * * * * (7) In the event the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President determines, prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period set forth in subsection (1) hereof, that a proposed SBT may be approved without conditions, the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President shall promptly so advise the Trading Permit Holder. All [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 President decisions to disapprove or condition a proposed SBT pursuant to subsection (b)(2) hereof or to impose extraordinary requirements pursuant to subsection (b)(3) hereof shall be in writing, shall include a statement setting forth the grounds for the [OOC’s] Chief Executive Officer or President’s decision, and shall be served on the Trading Permit Holder. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Rules of the Exchange, the Trading Permit Holder may appeal such decision directly to the Board of Directors of the Exchange by filing an application for review with the Secretary of the Exchange within fifteen (15) days of the date of service of the decision. The application for review shall be in the form prescribed by Rule 19.5(a), and the Board’s review shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by Rule 19.5(b), except that the Trading Permit Holder may waive the making of a record. Review by the Board shall be the exclusive method of reviewing a decision of the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President pursuant to this subsection (b). The appeal to the Board of a decision of the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President shall not operate as a stay of that decision during the pendency of the appeal. The Exchange shall file notice with the SEC in accordance with the provisions of Section 19(d)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of all final decisions to disapprove or condition a proposed SBT pursuant to subsection (b)(2) hereof, or to impose extraordinary requirements pursuant to subsection (b)(3) hereof. * * * * * (9) The [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President may exempt a Trading Permit Holder from the requirements of subsection (b)(1) hereof, either generally or in respect of specific types of transactions, based on the limited proportion of Market-Maker trades on the Exchange that are cleared by the Trading Permit Holder or on the limited importance that the clearing of MarketMaker trades bears to the total business of the Trading Permit Holder. * * * * * Rule 4.14. Liquidation of Positions Whenever the President or his designee shall find, on the basis of a report of the Department of Market Regulation or otherwise, that a person or group of persons acting in concert holds or controls, or is obligated in respect of, an aggregate position (whether long or short) in all option contracts of one or more classes or series dealt in on the Exchange in excess of the applicable position limit established pursuant to Rule 4.11, he or his designee may order E:\FR\FM\07JNN1.SGM 07JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2016 / Notices all Trading Permit Holders carrying a position in option contracts of such classes or series for such person or persons to liquidate such position as expeditiously as possible consistent with the maintenance of an orderly market. Whenever such an order is given by the President or his designee, no Trading Permit Holder shall accept any order to purchase, sell or exercise any option contract for the account of the person or persons named in the order, unless and until the President or his designee expressly approves such person or persons for options transactions. * * * * * Rule 6.17. Authority To Take Action Under Emergency Conditions The [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer, the President or such other person or persons as may be designated by the Board shall have the power to halt or suspend trading in some or all securities traded on the Exchange, to close some or all Exchange facilities, to determine the duration of any such halt, suspension or closing, to take one or more of the actions permitted to be taken by any person or body of the Exchange under Exchange rules, or to take any other action deemed to be necessary or appropriate for the maintenance of a fair and orderly market or the protection of investors, or otherwise in the public interest, due to emergency conditions or extraordinary circumstances, such as (1) actual or threatened physical danger, severe climatic conditions, natural disaster, civil unrest, terrorism, acts of war, or loss or interruption of facilities utilized by the Exchange, or (2) a request by a governmental agency or official, or (3) a period of mourning or recognition for a person or event. The person taking the action shall notify the Board of actions taken pursuant to this Rule, except for a period of mourning or recognition for a person or event, as soon thereafter as is feasible. * * * * * asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Rule 6.20. Admission to and Conduct on the Trading Floor; Trading Permit Holder Education (a) Admission to Trading Floor. Unless otherwise provided in the Rules, no one but a Trading Permit Holder, an Order Book Official designated by the Exchange pursuant to Rule 7.3, or PAR Official designated by the Exchange pursuant to Rule 7.12 shall make any transaction on the floor of the Exchange. Admission to the floor shall be limited to Trading Permit Holders, employees of the Exchange, clerks employed by VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:13 Jun 06, 2016 Jkt 238001 Trading Permit Holders and registered with the Exchange, service personnel and Exchange visitors authorized admission to the floor pursuant to Exchange policy, and such other persons permitted admission to the floor by the President of the Exchange or his designee. * * * * * Rule 10.2. Contracts of Suspended Trading Permit Holders When a Trading Permit Holder, other than a Clearing Trading Permit Holder, is suspended pursuant to Chapter XVI of these Rules, all open short positions of the suspended Trading Permit Holder in option contracts and all open positions resulting from exercise of option contracts, other than positions that are secured in full by a specific deposit or escrow deposit in accordance with the Rules of the Clearing Corporation, shall be closed without unnecessary delay by all TPH organizations carrying such positions for the account of the suspended Trading Permit Holder; provided that the [Chairman] Chief Executive Officer or President may cause the foregoing requirement to be temporarily waived for such period as he may determine if he shall deem such temporary waiver to be in the interest of the public or the other Trading Permit Holder. No temporary waiver hereunder by the [Chairman] Chief Executive Officer or President shall relieve the suspended Trading Permit Holder of its obligations or of damages, nor shall it waive the close out requirements of any other Rule. When a Clearing Trading Permit Holder is suspended pursuant to Chapter XVI of these Rules, the positions of such Clearing Trading Permit Holder shall be closed out in accordance with the Rules of the Clearing Corporation. * * * * * Rule 16.1. Imposition of Suspension A Trading Permit Holder or person associated with a Trading Permit Holder who has been and is expelled or suspended from any self-regulatory organization or barred or suspended from being associated with a Trading Permit Holder of any self-regulatory organization, or a Trading Permit Holder which is in such financial or operating difficulty that the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer or the President determines that the Trading Permit Holder cannot be permitted to continue to do business as a Trading Permit Holder with safety to investors, creditors, other Trading Permit Holders, or the Exchange, may be summarily suspended by the [Chairman of the PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36643 Board] Chief Executive Officer or the President. In addition, the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer or the President may limit or prohibit any person with respect to access to services offered by the Exchange if any of the criteria or the foregoing sentence is applicable to such person or, in the case of a person who is not a Trading Permit Holder, if the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer or the President determines that such person does not meet the qualification requirements or other prerequisites for such access with safety to investors, creditors, Trading Permit Holders, or the Exchange. In the event a determination is made to take summary action, as described above, notice thereof will be sent to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any person aggrieved by any summary action taken under this Rule shall be promptly afforded an opportunity for a hearing by the Exchange in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XIX. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission may on its own motion order or such a person may apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission for a stay of such summary action pending the results of a hearing pursuant to Chapter XIX. * * * * * Rule 18.31. Awards * * * * * (g) All monetary awards shall be paid within thirty (30) days of receipt unless a motion to vacate has been filed with a court of competent jurisdiction. If such a motion has been filed, either party may request the [Office of the Chairman] Chief Executive Officer or President to direct that the award be paid to an escrow account maintained by the Exchange. Such request shall be filed with the Secretary of the Exchange within thirty-five days of receipt of such award. * * * * * The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the Exchange’s Web site (https://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/ CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary, 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 E:\FR\FM\07JNN1.SGM 07JNN1 36644 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2016 / Notices 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 aspects of such statements. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 amend its Bylaws and Rules as it relates to references to senior management. The Exchange notes that historically, the CBOE Chairman of the Board also held the title of Chief Executive Officer (‘‘CEO’’). Currently, however, the roles of Chairman of the Board, CEO, and President are now occupied by three different individuals. As such, the Exchange has conducted a review of its rules relating to the authorities delegated to senior management and seeks to make conforming changes to its rules to more accurately reflect its senior management structure. First, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 2.15 (Divisions of Exchange), Rule 4.10 (Other Restrictions on Trading Permit Holders), Rule 6.17 (Authority to Take Action Under Emergency Conditions), Rule 10.2 (Contracts of Suspended Trading Permit Holders) and Rule 16.1 (Imposition of Suspension) to eliminate references to ‘‘Chairman of the Board’’ and replace those references with ‘‘Chief Executive Officer.’’ By way of background, Rule 2.15 currently provides that the Chairman of the Board, with the approval of the Board, may establish divisions of the Exchange and shall appoint a head of every division, provided that the Chairman of the Board is to be the head of the Executive Division. Additionally, Rule 2.15 provides that any official action taken by the Chairman of the Board or the President shall, for purposes of the hearing and review provided for in Chapter XIX, be deemed to be action of the Executive Division. Rule 4.10 currently provides that the Chairman of the Board or President may summarily suspend a Trading Permit Holder (‘‘TPH’’) or impose conditions and restrictions upon a TPH being a TPH if the Chairman of the Board or President considers it reasonably necessary for the protection of the Exchange and the customers of the TPH based upon certain findings made by the Department of Compliance. Rule 6.17 currently provides that the Chairman of the Board, the President or such other person or persons as may be designated VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:13 Jun 06, 2016 Jkt 238001 by the Board shall have the power to halt or suspend trading in some or all securities traded on the Exchange, to close some or all Exchange facilities, to determine the duration of any such halt, suspension or closing, to take one or more of the actions permitted to be taken by any person or body of the Exchange under Exchange rules, or to take any other action deemed to be necessary or appropriate for the maintenance of a fair and orderly market or the protection of investors, or otherwise in the public interest, due to emergency conditions or extraordinary circumstances. Rule 10.2 provides the Chairman of the Board or President may waive the requirement that a TPH Organization that carries short positions for the account of a TPH that is subject to a summary suspension close those positions. Finally Rule 16.1 provides that the Chairman of the Board or President may summarily suspend a TPH and limit or prohibit any person with respect to access to services offered by the Exchange. The Exchange notes that the CEO’s responsibility is that of general charge and supervision of the business of the Corporation,3 whereas the Chairman of the Board’s responsibility is that of the presiding officer at all meetings of the Board and stockholders, as well as of other powers and duties as are delegated to him or her by the Board.4 The Exchange believes the responsibilities currently delegated to the Chairman of the Board under Rules 2.15, 4.10, 6.17, 10.2 and 16.1 pertain to the general charge and supervision of the Exchange’s business and therefor fall within the scope of the CEO’s stated responsibilities, instead of the Chairman’s. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to eliminate the references to ‘‘Chairman of the Board’’ in the abovementioned [sic] rules and replace those references with ‘‘Chief Executive Officer.’’ Next, the Exchange proposes to eliminate the terms ‘‘Office of the Chairman’’ (‘‘OOC’’) [sic] in Rule 4.10 (Other Restrictions on Trading Permit Holders) and Rule 18.31 (Awards) and replace these references with ‘‘Chief Executive Officer or President.’’ Under Rule 4.10, the OOC (i.e., Office of the Chairman) is delegated certain authority relating to proposed Significant Business Transactions (‘‘SBTs’’) including, among other things, approving or disapproving a SBT. Under Rule 18.31, a party to an Arbitration may request the OOC to direct that an award be paid into an escrow account 3 See 4 See PO 00000 Section 5.2 of the Bylaws. Section 3.6 of the Bylaws. Frm 00129 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 maintained by the Exchange in the event a motion to vacate has been filed. The Exchange notes that historically, the OOC was considered to be the management committee of the Exchange and consisted of the Chairman (who at the time was also the CEO), the ViceChairman (which role no longer exists) and the President. Given the Exchange’s current management structure, the Exchange believes the term is antiquated and seeks to eliminate the reference to it in its rules. In its place, the Exchange seeks to provide that the powers and responsibilities delegated to the OOC as a whole, now be delegated to either the CEO or President. Although the Chairman will no longer possess the authorities delineated in Rules 4.10 and 18.31, the Exchange believes those authorities fall more squarely within the scope of the CEO’s or President’s roles and responsibilities.5 The Exchange believes the proposed rule change will also provide clarity as to who going forward has certain authority under the rules. Similarly, the Exchange proposes to eliminate the reference to the Office of the Chairman in Section 6.1 (Advisory Board) of the Exchange’s Bylaws. Section 6.1 currently provides that the Board will establish an Advisory Board which shall advise the Board and the Office of the Chairman regarding matters of interest to TPHs. The Exchange notes that the Advisory Board’s Charter however, provides that the Advisory board shall advise the Board and ‘‘management’’ regarding matters of interest to TPHs. As the term Office of the Chairman is outdated, as described above, and in order to conform the language in Section 6.1 to the Advisory Board Charter, the Exchange proposes to replace the reference to ‘‘Office of the Chairman’’ with ‘‘management.’’ The Exchange also notes that the proposed change would alleviate confusion and maintain consistency between the Exchange’s governance documents. Additionally, the title of the Bylaws would be changed to Seventh Amended and Restated Bylaws of CBOE. The Exchange lastly proposes to amend Rules 4.14 (Liquidation of Positions) and 6.20 (Admission to and Conduct on the Trading Floor; Trading Permit Holder Education) to provide that in addition to the President, a designee of the President may act in accordance with the authority delegated by the Rule. Rule 4.14 provides authority to the President to order the liquidation of positions and Rule 6.20 5 See Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of the Bylaws, respectively. E:\FR\FM\07JNN1.SGM 07JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2016 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES allows the President to permit admission to the floor of persons other than those expressly allowed by rule. Providing that such authorities may also be delegated to a designee provides the President and the Exchange additional flexibility (e.g., if the President were unavailable, the authorities provided by rule could still be carried out, need be, by an alternative Exchange official). The proposed change is consistent with other Exchange rules and policies that permit the President to delegate certain authority upon a designee.6 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.7 Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) 8 requirements that the rules of an exchange be 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 regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. In particular, the proposed rule changes will more accurately reflect the current management structure and ensure that rules relating to senior management authority are clear and transparent, which reduces confusion, thereby removing impediments to, and perfecting the mechanism for a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, protecting investors and the public interest of market participants. More specifically, the Exchange believes the authorities being transferred from the Chairman of the Board to the CEO are appropriate as they relate to the general charge and supervision of the Exchange business, which responsibility is currently delegated to the CEO. The Exchange believes the proposal to transfer the powers and responsibilities currently delegated to the Office of the Chairman as a whole to the CEO or President is appropriate as it is more aligned with the scope of the CEO’s and e.g., CBOE Rules 4.11, 4.12, 4.16. U.S.C. 78f(b). 8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). President’s roles than the Chairman’s. The Exchange believes it also reduces confusion as the term ‘‘Office of the Chairman’’ (and ‘‘OOC’’) incorporate a no-longer valid role (‘‘Vice-Chairman’’) and is not widely used anymore. The proposed change also clarifies which officers are being referenced, which is not currently clear or explicit. Additionally, the Exchange notes that while delegation of authority is being modified, the substantive practices of the Exchange will remain the same. Similarly, the Exchange believes the proposed change to Section 6.1 of CBOE’s Bylaws also eliminates an outdated and potentially confusing term (i.e., Office of the Chairman) and also conforms the language to the CBOE Advisory Board Charter. Lastly, the Exchange believes allowing the President to delegate the authorities under Rules 4.14 and 6.20 upon a designee protects investors and [sic] public interest by providing additional flexibility to the President and Exchange (e.g., if the President were unavailable, the authorities provided by rule could still be carried out, need be, by an alternative Exchange official). Additionally, the proposed change is consistent with other Exchange rules and policies that permit the President to delegate certain authority upon a designee.9 B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition CBOE 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 Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change imposes any burden on intramarket competition because it applies to all TPHs and is not designed to address any competitive issue. Additionally, as noted above, while certain delegation of authority is being modified, the substantive practices of the Exchange will remain the same. CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the proposed rule change merely relates to the delegation of authorities to senior management and only affects CBOE. 6 See 7 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:13 Jun 06, 2016 Jkt 238001 9 See PO 00000 e.g., CBOE Rules 4.11, 4.12, 4.16. Frm 00130 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36645 C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on 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 up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission will: A. By order approve or disapprove such 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– CBOE–2016–047 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 Number SR–CBOE–2016–047. 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 E:\FR\FM\07JNN1.SGM 07JNN1 36646 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2016 / Notices 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 the filing also will 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 Number SR–CBOE– 2016–047, and should be submitted on or before June 28, 2016. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.10 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–13317 Filed 6–6–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P [Release No. 34–77970; File No. SR–Phlx– 2016–60] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 1000A(b)(8) June 1, 2016. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 May 24, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, 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 the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend section (b)(8) of Rule 1000A, Applicability and Definitions. The rule applies to index options. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https:// nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/, at 10 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 19:13 Jun 06, 2016 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 aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION VerDate Sep<11>2014 the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. Jkt 238001 The Exchange is amending Rule 1000A(b)(8) which defines the term ‘‘closing index value’’ to provide greater clarity. Currently Rule 1000A(b)(8) defines ‘‘closing index value’’ to mean the current index value calculated at the close of business on the day of exercise, or, if the day of exercise is not a trading day, on the last trading day before exercise (P.M.-settled), unless the settlement value of the index is based on the opening price of each component issue on the primary market (A.M.settled). Accordingly, the definition of ‘‘closing index value’’ applicable to P.M.-settled options—the current index value calculated at the close of business on the day of exercise, or, if the day of exercise is not a trading day, on the last trading day before exercise—clearly does not apply to options where the settlement value of the index is based on the opening price of each component issue on the primary market (A.M.settled). It is understood that the ‘‘closing index value’’ for such options is to be ‘‘the settlement value of the index based on the opening price of each component issue on the primary market,’’ but the Exchange believes the provision could be more tightly drafted and less awkward. Therefore, the Exchange proposes to redefine ‘‘closing index value’’ separately for P.M.-settled options and A.M.-settled options as (a) with respect to P.M.-settled options, the current index value calculated at the close of business on the day of exercise, or, if the day of exercise is not a trading day, on the last trading day before PO 00000 Frm 00131 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 exercise, or (b) with respect to A.M.settled options, the opening price of each component issue on the primary market on the day of exercise, or, if the day of exercise is not a trading day, on the last trading day before exercise. The rule amendment is intended to improve readability and provide greater clarity. No substantive change is intended. Additionally, the Commentary to Rule 1009A(b)(8) [sic] is proposed to be updated. Currently, the Commentary recites that for any series of index options first opened after March 30, 1987, the Exchange may, in its discretion, provide that the calculation of the final index settlement value of any index on which options are traded at the Exchange will be determined by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks at a time other than the close of trading on the last trading day before expiration. The Exchange is deleting the words ‘‘first opened after March 30, 1987’’ as archaic and no longer necessary. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act,3 in general, and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act,4 in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public interest, by improving the readability and clarity of its definition of closing index value and the related commentary. The change benefits members by providing better access to clear rules. 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 not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the rule merely clarifies the defined term ‘‘closing index value’’ which is not a substantive change, and removes archaic language from the Rule 1009A(b)(8) [sic] Commentary. Neither proposed change has an impact on competition. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. 3 15 4 15 E:\FR\FM\07JNN1.SGM U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 07JNN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36641-36646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13317]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-77962; File No. SR-CBOE-2016-047]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to 
Senior Management Authority

June 1, 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 May 23, 2016, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the 
``Exchange'' or ``CBOE'') 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 
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 seeks to amend its Bylaws and Rules with respect to 
delegations of certain authorities to senior management. The text of 
the proposed rule change is provided below.
    (additions are italicized; deletions are [bracketed])
* * * * *

[SIXTH] SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

BYLAWS OF

CHICAGO BOARD OPTIONS EXCHANGE, INCORPORATED

* * * * *

ARTICLE VI Advisory Board

    Section 6.1. Advisory Board.
    The Board will establish an Advisory Board which shall advise the 
Board and [the Office of the Chairman] management regarding matters of 
interest to Trading Permit Holders. It shall consist of such number of 
members as set by the Board from time to time, including at least two 
members who are Trading Permit Holders or persons associated with 
Trading Permit Holders. The Chief Executive Officer, or his or her 
designee, shall be the Chairman of the Advisory Board. The members of 
the Advisory Board shall be recommended by the Nominating and 
Governance Committee for approval by the Board. There shall be a 
Trading Permit Holders Subcommittee of the Advisory Board consisting of 
all members of the Advisory Board who are Trading Permit Holders or 
persons associated with Trading Permit Holders, which shall act as the 
Representative Director Nominating Body if and to the extent required 
by these Bylaws.
* * * * *

[[Page 36642]]

Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated

Rules

* * * * *

Rule 2.15. Divisions of Exchange

    The divisions of the Exchange shall include any such divisions as 
the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer, with the approval 
of the Board, may establish. The [Chairman of the Board] Chief 
Executive Officer shall appoint a head of every division, provided that 
the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer shall be the head 
of the Executive Division. Any official action taken by the [Chairman 
of the Board] Chief Executive Officer or the President shall, for 
purposes of the hearing and review provided for in Chapter XIX, be 
deemed to be action of the Executive Division.
* * * * *

Rule 4.10. Other Restrictions on Trading Permit Holders

    (a) In General. Whenever the [Chairman] Chief Executive Officer or 
President shall find, on the basis of a report of the Department of 
Compliance or otherwise, that a Trading Permit Holder has failed to 
perform his contracts or is insolvent or is in such financial or 
operational condition or is otherwise conducting his business in such a 
manner that he cannot be permitted to continue in business with safety 
to his customers or creditors or the Exchange, the [Chairman] Chief 
Executive Officer or the President may summarily suspend the Trading 
Permit Holder in accordance with Chapter XVI or may impose such 
conditions and restrictions upon his being a Trading Permit Holder as 
he considers reasonably necessary for the protection of the Exchange 
and the customers of such Trading Permit Holder.
    (b) Firms Clearing Market-Maker Trades.
* * * * *
    (2) A proposed SBT of a Trading Permit Holder as enumerated in 
subsection (b)(1)(i) through (iii) is subject to the prior approval of 
the [Exchange's Office of the Chairman (``OOC'')] Chief Executive 
Officer or President, when the Trading Permit Holder's Market-Maker 
clearance activities exceed, or would exceed as a result of the 
proposed SBT, any of the following parameters:
    (i) 15% of cleared Exchange Market-Maker contract volume for the 
most recent three (3) months;
    (ii) an average of 15% of the number of Exchange registered Market-
Makers as of each month and for the most recent three (3) months, or
    (iii) 25% of Market-Maker gross deductions (haircuts) defined by 
SEC Rule 15c3-1 (a)(6) or (c)(2)(x) carried by the Clearing Trading 
Permit Holder(s) in relation to the aggregate of such haircuts carried 
by all other Market-Maker clearing organizations for any month end 
within the most recent three (3) months.
    The Exchange shall notify in writing each Trading Permit Holder 
that clears Market-Maker trades within ten (10) business days from the 
close of each month of that Trading Permit Holder's proportion of the 
market making clearing business, whether or not such business exceeds 
the parameters described in (i), (ii), and (iii) of this subsection 
(b)(2). Trading Permit Holders subject to this subsection (b)(2) must 
provide thirty (30) calendar days notice of the proposed SBT, as 
enumerated in subsection (b)(1)(i) through (iii), to the President or 
his designee. The [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President may 
disapprove a Trading Permit Holder's proposed SBT, or approve such SBT 
subject to certain conditions, within the thirty (30) day period. The 
[OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President may disapprove or condition 
a Trading Permit Holder's SBT within the thirty (30) day period if the 
[OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President determines that such SBT has 
the potential to threaten the financial or operational integrity of 
Exchange Market-Maker transactions.
    (3) In addition, at any time, the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or 
President may impose additional financial and/or operational 
requirements on a Trading Permit Holder that clears Market-Maker trades 
when the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President determines that the 
Trading Permit Holder's continuance in business without such 
requirements has the potential to threaten the financial or operational 
integrity of Exchange Market-Maker transactions.
* * * * *
    (6) In considering a proposed SBT, the [OOC] Chief Executive 
Officer or President may consider, among other relevant matters, the 
following criteria:
* * * * *
    (7) In the event the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President 
determines, prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period set 
forth in subsection (1) hereof, that a proposed SBT may be approved 
without conditions, the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President 
shall promptly so advise the Trading Permit Holder. All [OOC] Chief 
Executive Officer or President decisions to disapprove or condition a 
proposed SBT pursuant to subsection (b)(2) hereof or to impose 
extraordinary requirements pursuant to subsection (b)(3) hereof shall 
be in writing, shall include a statement setting forth the grounds for 
the [OOC's] Chief Executive Officer or President's decision, and shall 
be served on the Trading Permit Holder. Notwithstanding any other 
provisions of the Rules of the Exchange, the Trading Permit Holder may 
appeal such decision directly to the Board of Directors of the Exchange 
by filing an application for review with the Secretary of the Exchange 
within fifteen (15) days of the date of service of the decision. The 
application for review shall be in the form prescribed by Rule 19.5(a), 
and the Board's review shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by 
Rule 19.5(b), except that the Trading Permit Holder may waive the 
making of a record. Review by the Board shall be the exclusive method 
of reviewing a decision of the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or 
President pursuant to this subsection (b). The appeal to the Board of a 
decision of the [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President shall not 
operate as a stay of that decision during the pendency of the appeal. 
The Exchange shall file notice with the SEC in accordance with the 
provisions of Section 19(d)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of all 
final decisions to disapprove or condition a proposed SBT pursuant to 
subsection (b)(2) hereof, or to impose extraordinary requirements 
pursuant to subsection (b)(3) hereof.
* * * * *
    (9) The [OOC] Chief Executive Officer or President may exempt a 
Trading Permit Holder from the requirements of subsection (b)(1) 
hereof, either generally or in respect of specific types of 
transactions, based on the limited proportion of Market-Maker trades on 
the Exchange that are cleared by the Trading Permit Holder or on the 
limited importance that the clearing of Market-Maker trades bears to 
the total business of the Trading Permit Holder.
* * * * *

Rule 4.14. Liquidation of Positions

    Whenever the President or his designee shall find, on the basis of 
a report of the Department of Market Regulation or otherwise, that a 
person or group of persons acting in concert holds or controls, or is 
obligated in respect of, an aggregate position (whether long or short) 
in all option contracts of one or more classes or series dealt in on 
the Exchange in excess of the applicable position limit established 
pursuant to Rule 4.11, he or his designee may order

[[Page 36643]]

all Trading Permit Holders carrying a position in option contracts of 
such classes or series for such person or persons to liquidate such 
position as expeditiously as possible consistent with the maintenance 
of an orderly market. Whenever such an order is given by the President 
or his designee, no Trading Permit Holder shall accept any order to 
purchase, sell or exercise any option contract for the account of the 
person or persons named in the order, unless and until the President or 
his designee expressly approves such person or persons for options 
transactions.
* * * * *

Rule 6.17. Authority To Take Action Under Emergency Conditions

    The [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer, the President 
or such other person or persons as may be designated by the Board shall 
have the power to halt or suspend trading in some or all securities 
traded on the Exchange, to close some or all Exchange facilities, to 
determine the duration of any such halt, suspension or closing, to take 
one or more of the actions permitted to be taken by any person or body 
of the Exchange under Exchange rules, or to take any other action 
deemed to be necessary or appropriate for the maintenance of a fair and 
orderly market or the protection of investors, or otherwise in the 
public interest, due to emergency conditions or extraordinary 
circumstances, such as (1) actual or threatened physical danger, severe 
climatic conditions, natural disaster, civil unrest, terrorism, acts of 
war, or loss or interruption of facilities utilized by the Exchange, or 
(2) a request by a governmental agency or official, or (3) a period of 
mourning or recognition for a person or event. The person taking the 
action shall notify the Board of actions taken pursuant to this Rule, 
except for a period of mourning or recognition for a person or event, 
as soon thereafter as is feasible.
* * * * *

Rule 6.20. Admission to and Conduct on the Trading Floor; Trading 
Permit Holder Education

    (a) Admission to Trading Floor. Unless otherwise provided in the 
Rules, no one but a Trading Permit Holder, an Order Book Official 
designated by the Exchange pursuant to Rule 7.3, or PAR Official 
designated by the Exchange pursuant to Rule 7.12 shall make any 
transaction on the floor of the Exchange. Admission to the floor shall 
be limited to Trading Permit Holders, employees of the Exchange, clerks 
employed by Trading Permit Holders and registered with the Exchange, 
service personnel and Exchange visitors authorized admission to the 
floor pursuant to Exchange policy, and such other persons permitted 
admission to the floor by the President of the Exchange or his 
designee.
* * * * *

Rule 10.2. Contracts of Suspended Trading Permit Holders

    When a Trading Permit Holder, other than a Clearing Trading Permit 
Holder, is suspended pursuant to Chapter XVI of these Rules, all open 
short positions of the suspended Trading Permit Holder in option 
contracts and all open positions resulting from exercise of option 
contracts, other than positions that are secured in full by a specific 
deposit or escrow deposit in accordance with the Rules of the Clearing 
Corporation, shall be closed without unnecessary delay by all TPH 
organizations carrying such positions for the account of the suspended 
Trading Permit Holder; provided that the [Chairman] Chief Executive 
Officer or President may cause the foregoing requirement to be 
temporarily waived for such period as he may determine if he shall deem 
such temporary waiver to be in the interest of the public or the other 
Trading Permit Holder. No temporary waiver hereunder by the [Chairman] 
Chief Executive Officer or President shall relieve the suspended 
Trading Permit Holder of its obligations or of damages, nor shall it 
waive the close out requirements of any other Rule. When a Clearing 
Trading Permit Holder is suspended pursuant to Chapter XVI of these 
Rules, the positions of such Clearing Trading Permit Holder shall be 
closed out in accordance with the Rules of the Clearing Corporation.
* * * * *

Rule 16.1. Imposition of Suspension

    A Trading Permit Holder or person associated with a Trading Permit 
Holder who has been and is expelled or suspended from any self-
regulatory organization or barred or suspended from being associated 
with a Trading Permit Holder of any self-regulatory organization, or a 
Trading Permit Holder which is in such financial or operating 
difficulty that the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer or 
the President determines that the Trading Permit Holder cannot be 
permitted to continue to do business as a Trading Permit Holder with 
safety to investors, creditors, other Trading Permit Holders, or the 
Exchange, may be summarily suspended by the [Chairman of the Board] 
Chief Executive Officer or the President. In addition, the [Chairman of 
the Board] Chief Executive Officer or the President may limit or 
prohibit any person with respect to access to services offered by the 
Exchange if any of the criteria or the foregoing sentence is applicable 
to such person or, in the case of a person who is not a Trading Permit 
Holder, if the [Chairman of the Board] Chief Executive Officer or the 
President determines that such person does not meet the qualification 
requirements or other prerequisites for such access with safety to 
investors, creditors, Trading Permit Holders, or the Exchange. In the 
event a determination is made to take summary action, as described 
above, notice thereof will be sent to the Securities and Exchange 
Commission. Any person aggrieved by any summary action taken under this 
Rule shall be promptly afforded an opportunity for a hearing by the 
Exchange in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XIX. In addition, 
the Securities and Exchange Commission may on its own motion order or 
such a person may apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission for a 
stay of such summary action pending the results of a hearing pursuant 
to Chapter XIX.
* * * * *

Rule 18.31. Awards

* * * * *
    (g) All monetary awards shall be paid within thirty (30) days of 
receipt unless a motion to vacate has been filed with a court of 
competent jurisdiction. If such a motion has been filed, either party 
may request the [Office of the Chairman] Chief Executive Officer or 
President to direct that the award be paid to an escrow account 
maintained by the Exchange. Such request shall be filed with the 
Secretary of the Exchange within thirty-five days of receipt of such 
award.
* * * * *
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's Web site (https://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the 
Secretary, 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

[[Page 36644]]

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 aspects of such statements.

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 amend its Bylaws and Rules as it relates 
to references to senior management. The Exchange notes that 
historically, the CBOE Chairman of the Board also held the title of 
Chief Executive Officer (``CEO''). Currently, however, the roles of 
Chairman of the Board, CEO, and President are now occupied by three 
different individuals. As such, the Exchange has conducted a review of 
its rules relating to the authorities delegated to senior management 
and seeks to make conforming changes to its rules to more accurately 
reflect its senior management structure.
    First, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 2.15 (Divisions of 
Exchange), Rule 4.10 (Other Restrictions on Trading Permit Holders), 
Rule 6.17 (Authority to Take Action Under Emergency Conditions), Rule 
10.2 (Contracts of Suspended Trading Permit Holders) and Rule 16.1 
(Imposition of Suspension) to eliminate references to ``Chairman of the 
Board'' and replace those references with ``Chief Executive Officer.'' 
By way of background, Rule 2.15 currently provides that the Chairman of 
the Board, with the approval of the Board, may establish divisions of 
the Exchange and shall appoint a head of every division, provided that 
the Chairman of the Board is to be the head of the Executive Division. 
Additionally, Rule 2.15 provides that any official action taken by the 
Chairman of the Board or the President shall, for purposes of the 
hearing and review provided for in Chapter XIX, be deemed to be action 
of the Executive Division. Rule 4.10 currently provides that the 
Chairman of the Board or President may summarily suspend a Trading 
Permit Holder (``TPH'') or impose conditions and restrictions upon a 
TPH being a TPH if the Chairman of the Board or President considers it 
reasonably necessary for the protection of the Exchange and the 
customers of the TPH based upon certain findings made by the Department 
of Compliance. Rule 6.17 currently provides that the Chairman of the 
Board, the President or such other person or persons as may be 
designated by the Board shall have the power to halt or suspend trading 
in some or all securities traded on the Exchange, to close some or all 
Exchange facilities, to determine the duration of any such halt, 
suspension or closing, to take one or more of the actions permitted to 
be taken by any person or body of the Exchange under Exchange rules, or 
to take any other action deemed to be necessary or appropriate for the 
maintenance of a fair and orderly market or the protection of 
investors, or otherwise in the public interest, due to emergency 
conditions or extraordinary circumstances. Rule 10.2 provides the 
Chairman of the Board or President may waive the requirement that a TPH 
Organization that carries short positions for the account of a TPH that 
is subject to a summary suspension close those positions. Finally Rule 
16.1 provides that the Chairman of the Board or President may summarily 
suspend a TPH and limit or prohibit any person with respect to access 
to services offered by the Exchange.
    The Exchange notes that the CEO's responsibility is that of general 
charge and supervision of the business of the Corporation,\3\ whereas 
the Chairman of the Board's responsibility is that of the presiding 
officer at all meetings of the Board and stockholders, as well as of 
other powers and duties as are delegated to him or her by the Board.\4\ 
The Exchange believes the responsibilities currently delegated to the 
Chairman of the Board under Rules 2.15, 4.10, 6.17, 10.2 and 16.1 
pertain to the general charge and supervision of the Exchange's 
business and therefor fall within the scope of the CEO's stated 
responsibilities, instead of the Chairman's. Accordingly, the Exchange 
proposes to eliminate the references to ``Chairman of the Board'' in 
the abovementioned [sic] rules and replace those references with 
``Chief Executive Officer.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Section 5.2 of the Bylaws.
    \4\ See Section 3.6 of the Bylaws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Next, the Exchange proposes to eliminate the terms ``Office of the 
Chairman'' (``OOC'') [sic] in Rule 4.10 (Other Restrictions on Trading 
Permit Holders) and Rule 18.31 (Awards) and replace these references 
with ``Chief Executive Officer or President.'' Under Rule 4.10, the OOC 
(i.e., Office of the Chairman) is delegated certain authority relating 
to proposed Significant Business Transactions (``SBTs'') including, 
among other things, approving or disapproving a SBT. Under Rule 18.31, 
a party to an Arbitration may request the OOC to direct that an award 
be paid into an escrow account maintained by the Exchange in the event 
a motion to vacate has been filed. The Exchange notes that 
historically, the OOC was considered to be the management committee of 
the Exchange and consisted of the Chairman (who at the time was also 
the CEO), the Vice-Chairman (which role no longer exists) and the 
President. Given the Exchange's current management structure, the 
Exchange believes the term is antiquated and seeks to eliminate the 
reference to it in its rules. In its place, the Exchange seeks to 
provide that the powers and responsibilities delegated to the OOC as a 
whole, now be delegated to either the CEO or President. Although the 
Chairman will no longer possess the authorities delineated in Rules 
4.10 and 18.31, the Exchange believes those authorities fall more 
squarely within the scope of the CEO's or President's roles and 
responsibilities.\5\ The Exchange believes the proposed rule change 
will also provide clarity as to who going forward has certain authority 
under the rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of the Bylaws, respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similarly, the Exchange proposes to eliminate the reference to the 
Office of the Chairman in Section 6.1 (Advisory Board) of the 
Exchange's Bylaws. Section 6.1 currently provides that the Board will 
establish an Advisory Board which shall advise the Board and the Office 
of the Chairman regarding matters of interest to TPHs. The Exchange 
notes that the Advisory Board's Charter however, provides that the 
Advisory board shall advise the Board and ``management'' regarding 
matters of interest to TPHs. As the term Office of the Chairman is 
outdated, as described above, and in order to conform the language in 
Section 6.1 to the Advisory Board Charter, the Exchange proposes to 
replace the reference to ``Office of the Chairman'' with 
``management.'' The Exchange also notes that the proposed change would 
alleviate confusion and maintain consistency between the Exchange's 
governance documents. Additionally, the title of the Bylaws would be 
changed to Seventh Amended and Restated Bylaws of CBOE.
    The Exchange lastly proposes to amend Rules 4.14 (Liquidation of 
Positions) and 6.20 (Admission to and Conduct on the Trading Floor; 
Trading Permit Holder Education) to provide that in addition to the 
President, a designee of the President may act in accordance with the 
authority delegated by the Rule. Rule 4.14 provides authority to the 
President to order the liquidation of positions and Rule 6.20

[[Page 36645]]

allows the President to permit admission to the floor of persons other 
than those expressly allowed by rule. Providing that such authorities 
may also be delegated to a designee provides the President and the 
Exchange additional flexibility (e.g., if the President were 
unavailable, the authorities provided by rule could still be carried 
out, need be, by an alternative Exchange official). The proposed change 
is consistent with other Exchange rules and policies that permit the 
President to delegate certain authority upon a designee.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See e.g., CBOE Rules 4.11, 4.12, 4.16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, 
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\7\ Specifically, the 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \8\ requirements that the rules of an exchange be 
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 regulating, clearing, 
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating 
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
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    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    In particular, the proposed rule changes will more accurately 
reflect the current management structure and ensure that rules relating 
to senior management authority are clear and transparent, which reduces 
confusion, thereby removing impediments to, and perfecting the 
mechanism for a free and open market and a national market system, and, 
in general, protecting investors and the public interest of market 
participants.
    More specifically, the Exchange believes the authorities being 
transferred from the Chairman of the Board to the CEO are appropriate 
as they relate to the general charge and supervision of the Exchange 
business, which responsibility is currently delegated to the CEO.
    The Exchange believes the proposal to transfer the powers and 
responsibilities currently delegated to the Office of the Chairman as a 
whole to the CEO or President is appropriate as it is more aligned with 
the scope of the CEO's and President's roles than the Chairman's. The 
Exchange believes it also reduces confusion as the term ``Office of the 
Chairman'' (and ``OOC'') incorporate a no-longer valid role (``Vice-
Chairman'') and is not widely used anymore. The proposed change also 
clarifies which officers are being referenced, which is not currently 
clear or explicit. Additionally, the Exchange notes that while 
delegation of authority is being modified, the substantive practices of 
the Exchange will remain the same. Similarly, the Exchange believes the 
proposed change to Section 6.1 of CBOE's Bylaws also eliminates an 
outdated and potentially confusing term (i.e., Office of the Chairman) 
and also conforms the language to the CBOE Advisory Board Charter.
    Lastly, the Exchange believes allowing the President to delegate 
the authorities under Rules 4.14 and 6.20 upon a designee protects 
investors and [sic] public interest by providing additional flexibility 
to the President and Exchange (e.g., if the President were unavailable, 
the authorities provided by rule could still be carried out, need be, 
by an alternative Exchange official). Additionally, the proposed change 
is consistent with other Exchange rules and policies that permit the 
President to delegate certain authority upon a designee.\9\
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    \9\ See e.g., CBOE Rules 4.11, 4.12, 4.16.
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    CBOE 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 Exchange does not believe 
that the proposed rule change imposes any burden on intramarket 
competition because it applies to all TPHs and is not designed to 
address any competitive issue. Additionally, as noted above, while 
certain delegation of authority is being modified, the substantive 
practices of the Exchange will remain the same. CBOE does not believe 
that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on intermarket 
competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act because the proposed rule change merely relates to 
the delegation of authorities to senior management and only affects 
CBOE.

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

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on 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 up to 90 days (i) as the 
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be 
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the Exchange consents, the Commission will:
    A. By order approve or disapprove such 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-CBOE-2016-047 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 Number SR-CBOE-2016-047. 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

[[Page 36646]]

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 
the filing also will 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 Number SR-CBOE-2016-047, and should be submitted on or before June 
28, 2016.
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    \10\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\10\
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-13317 Filed 6-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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