Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending Article IV, Section 4.05 of the Tenth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Exchange, 73187-73189 [2016-25577]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 205 / Monday, October 24, 2016 / Notices 2016. The Commission is extending this 45-day time period. The Commission finds that it is appropriate to designate a longer period within which to take action on the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,5 the Commission designates December 7, 2016, as the date by which the Commission shall either approve or disapprove or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change (File No. SR– NASDAQ–2016–121). For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.6 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–25615 Filed 10–21–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–79115; File No. SR–NYSE– 2016–66] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending Article IV, Section 4.05 of the Tenth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Exchange October 18, 2016. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2016, New York Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the selfregulatory organization. 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 proposes to amend Article IV, Section 4.05 of the Tenth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Exchange (‘‘Operating Agreement’’) regarding use of regulatory 5 Id. CFR 200.30–3(a)(31). U.S.C.78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 17:42 Oct 21, 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 self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. 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 Article IV, Section 4.05 (Limitation on Distributions) of the Operating Agreement (‘‘Section 4.05’’), regarding use of regulatory assets, fees, fines and penalties (‘‘Regulatory Funds’’), and make additional, non-substantive edits. Proposed Amendment to Section 4.05 Section 4.05 provides that: [t]he Company shall not use any regulatory assets or any regulatory fees, fines or penalties collected by the Exchange’s regulatory staff for commercial purposes or distribute such assets, fees, fines or penalties to the Member or any other entity.4 Although it prohibits the use of Regulatory Funds for ‘‘commercial purposes,’’ that term is not defined in Section 4.05 or elsewhere in the Operating Agreement. Accordingly, to add greater clarity to the limits on the use of Regulatory Funds, the Exchange proposes to replace the prohibition against using Regulatory Funds for ‘‘commercial purposes’’ with a statement that Regulatory Funds ‘‘will be applied to fund the legal, regulatory and surveillance operations’’ of the Exchange. The prohibition on using Regulatory Funds for distributions to the Member or any other entity would remain. 4 See Tenth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of New York Stock Exchange LLC, Art. IV, Sec. 4.05; see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78805 (September 9, 2016), 81 FR 63536 (September 15, 2016) (SR–NYSE–2016–51). 6 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 assets, fees, fines and penalties, and make additional, non-substantive edits. The proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00132 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 73187 In addition, ‘‘Exchange’’ is not a defined term in the Operating Agreement, which defines the Exchange as the ‘‘Company.’’ Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to replace ‘‘Exchange’s regulatory staff’’ with ‘‘Company’s regulatory staff.’’ The amended Section 4.05 would read as follows: Any regulatory assets or any regulatory fees, fines or penalties collected by the Company’s regulatory staff will be applied to fund the legal, regulatory and surveillance operations of the Company, and the Company shall not distribute such assets, fees, fines or penalties to the Member or any other entity. The Exchange believes that the increased clarity in the scope of the limits on use of Regulatory Funds will enhance the protections provided by Section 4.05 against the possibility that Regulatory Funds may be assessed to respond to the Exchange’s budgetary needs rather than to serve a disciplinary purpose.5 The proposed amendments would have the benefit of bringing Section 4.05 into greater conformity with the bylaws of the Exchange’s affiliate NYSE Arca, Inc., which provide that regulatory fees and penalties ‘‘will be applied to fund the legal, regulatory and surveillance operations of the Exchange.’’ 6 The proposed amendments would make Section 4.05 more consistent with the limitations on the use of regulatory income of other self-regulatory organizations (‘‘SROs’’). Most such limitations are substantially similar to the proposed revised Section 4.05. For example, similar to the proposed Section 4.05, the limited liability company agreements of the BOX Options Exchange (‘‘BOX’’), International Securities Exchange, LLC (‘‘ISE’’), and its affiliates ISE Gemini, LLC and ISE Mercury, LLC, provide that regulatory funds shall be used to fund the relevant SRO’s legal, regulatory and surveillance operations.7 Consistent 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77899 (May 24, 2016), 81 FR 34393 (May 31, 2016) (SR– NYSE–2016–37). 6 See Bylaws of NYSE Arca, Inc., Art. II, Sec. 2.06 (‘‘Any revenues received by the Exchange from regulatory fees or regulatory penalties will be applied to fund the legal, regulatory and surveillance operations of the Exchange and will not be used to pay dividends. For purposes of this Section, regulatory penalties shall include restitution and disgorgement of funds intended for customers.’’). The Exchange’s affiliate NYSE MKT LLC has submitted substantially the same proposed amendment to its operating agreement. See SR– NYSEMKT–2016–93. 7 Such provisions also limit the relevant SRO from making any distribution to its member using regulatory funds. See Box Options Exchange Limited Liability Company Agreement, Art. 1, Sec. E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM Continued 24OCN1 73188 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 205 / Monday, October 24, 2016 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES with the proposed revised Section 4.05, their definition of ‘‘regulatory funds’’ includes fees, fines or penalties derived from its regulatory operations.8 Some SROs have provisions that are less restrictive than the proposed Section 4.05. More specifically, the governing documents of affiliates Bats BZX Exchange, Inc., Bats BYX Exchange, Inc., Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc., and Bats EDGA Exchange, Inc. permit such SROs to use regulatory funds to fund legal and regulatory operations, including surveillance and enforcement activities, but also provide that revenues received from fees derived from the regulatory function or regulatory penalties may be used to pay restitution and disgorgement of funds intended for customers.9 The limited liability company agreement of Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC, and bylaws of National Stock Exchange, Inc., have similar provisions.10 By 1.1 and Art. 8, Sec. 8.1; Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of International Securities Exchange, LLC, Art. III, Sec. 3.3(ii); Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of ISE Gemini, LLC, Art. III, Sec. 3.3(ii); and Limited Liability Company Agreement of ISE Mercury, LLC, Art. III, Sec. 3.3(ii). 8 The BOX definition of regulatory funds also states that such funds ‘‘shall not include revenues derived from listing fees, market data revenues, transaction revenues or any other aspect of the commercial operations of the Exchange or a facility of the Exchange, even if a portion of such revenues are used to pay costs associated with the regulatory operations of the Exchange.’’ Box Options Exchange Limited Liability Company Agreement, Art. 1, Sec. 1.1. The agreements of ISE and its affiliates have substantially similar language. See Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of International Securities Exchange, LLC, Art. III, Sec. 3.3(ii); Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of ISE Gemini, LLC, Art. III, Sec. 3.3(ii); and Limited Liability Company Agreement of ISE Mercury, LLC, Art. III, Sec. 3.3(ii). 9 The described revenues may not be used for non-regulatory purposes or distributed to the stockholder. See Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Bats BZX Exchange, Inc., Art. X, Sec. 4; Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Bats BYX Exchange, Inc., Art. X, Sec. 4; Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc., Art. X, Sec. 4; and Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Bats EDGA Exchange, Inc., Art. X, Sec. 4. 10 See Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC, Art. IX, Sec. 9.4 (‘‘Any Regulatory Funds will not be used for non-regulatory purposes or distributed to the LLC Member, but rather, shall be applied to fund the legal and regulatory operations of the Company (including surveillance and enforcement activities), or, as the case may be, shall be used to pay restitution and disgorgement of funds intended for customers.’’); Third Amended and Restated By-laws of National Stock Exchange, Inc., Art. X, Sec. 10.4 (‘‘Any revenues received by the Exchange from fees derived from its regulatory function or regulatory penalties will not be used to pay dividends and shall be applied to fund the legal and regulatory operations of the Exchange (including surveillance and enforcement activities), or, as the case may be, shall be used to pay restitution and disgorgement of funds intended for customers.’’); see also Amended and Restated By-Laws of Miami VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Oct 21, 2016 Jkt 241001 contrast, the operating agreement of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) simply limits Nasdaq from making a distribution to its member using regulatory funds, and does not impose other restrictions.11 Additional Proposed Amendments The Exchange proposes to make a non-substantive amendment to the second sentence of Article II, Section 2.03(h)(iii) (Board). Currently, the sentence provides that the Committee for Review (‘‘CFR’’) will be responsible for, among other things, ‘‘reviewing determinations to limit or prohibit the continued listing of an issuer’s securities on the Exchange.’’ The Exchange proposes to replace ‘‘Exchange’’ with ‘‘exchange operated by the Company.’’ The Exchange proposes to make the change because, as noted above, ‘‘Exchange’’ is not a defined term in the Operating Agreement. Finally, the Exchange proposes to make technical and conforming changes to the recitals and signature page of the Operating Agreement. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Exchange Act 12 in general, and Section 6(b)(1) 13 in particular, in that it enables the Exchange to be so organized as to have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes of the Exchange Act and to comply, and to enforce compliance by its exchange members and persons associated with its exchange members, with the provisions of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of the Exchange. The Exchange believes that replacing the current prohibition against using Regulatory Funds for undefined ‘‘commercial purposes’’ with a requirement that Regulatory Funds ‘‘be applied to fund the legal, regulatory and surveillance operations’’ of the Exchange would enable the Exchange to be so organized as to have the capacity International Securities Exchange, LLC, Art. IX, Sec. 9.4. 11 See Second Amended Limited Liability Company Agreement of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, Sec. 15. See also by-laws of NASDAQ BX, Inc., Art. IX, Sec. 9.8, and Second Amended Limited Liability Company Agreement of NASDAQ PHLX LLC, Sec. 14. When the NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. acquired the Boston Stock Exchange (‘‘BSE’’), the BSE by-laws were amended to include a similar provision that dividends could not be paid to the stockholders using regulatory funds. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58324 (August 7, 2008), 73 FR 46936 (August 12, 2008) (SR–BSE– 2008–02; SR–BSE–2008–23; SR–BSE–2008–25; SR–BSECC– 2008–01), at 46942. 12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1). PO 00000 Frm 00133 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 to be able to carry out the purposes of the Exchange Act and to comply with the provisions of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of the Exchange, because it would add greater clarity to the limits on the use of Regulatory Funds, enhancing the protections provided by Section 4.05 against the possibility that Regulatory Funds may be assessed to respond to the Exchange’s budgetary needs rather than to serve a disciplinary purpose.14 The proposed changes to Section 4.05 would make it more transparent to market participants. Similarly, the Exchange believes that replacing ‘‘Exchange’s regulatory staff’’ with ‘‘Company’s regulatory staff’’ in Section 4.05 and replacing ‘‘Exchange’’ with ‘‘exchange operated by the Company’’ in Article II, Section 2.03(h)(iii) would enable the Exchange to be so organized as to have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes of the Exchange Act and to comply with the provisions of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of the Exchange, because it would add greater clarity to the Operating Agreement by using the defined term ‘‘Company’’ instead of ‘‘Exchange,’’ which is not defined in the Operating Agreement. For the same reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes are consistent with Section 6(b)(4),15 which requires that the rules of the exchange provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among the exchange’s members and issuers and other persons using its facilities, and Section 6(b)(5),16 which requires that the rules of the 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. The proposed changes would add greater clarity to the limits on the use of Regulatory Funds, enhancing the protections provided by Section 4.05, and ensure the use of defined terms, thereby making Section 4.05 and Article 14 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77899 (May 24, 2016), 81 FR 34393 (May 31, 2016) (SR– NYSE–2016–37). 15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). 16 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM 24OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 205 / Monday, October 24, 2016 / Notices II, Section 2.03(h)(iii) more transparent to market participants. The Exchange notes that the proposed change to Section 4.05 would have the additional benefit of bringing the Exchange’s restrictions on the use of regulatory assets and income into greater conformity with those of its affiliate NYSE Arca, Inc. In addition, the proposed amendments would make Section 4.05 more consistent with the limitations on the use of regulatory income of other SROs. Most such limitations are substantially similar to the proposed revised Section 4.05. In fact, the proposed Section 4.05 is more restrictive than the provisions of some other SROs, whose rules allow the use of regulatory funds for restitution and disgorgement of funds intended for customers, or simply limit the SRO from making a distribution to its member using regulatory funds. 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 Exchange Act. The proposed rule change is not intended to address competitive issues but rather is concerned solely with the administration and functioning of the Exchange. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 17 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.18 Because the 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 prior to 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder. A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 19 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii),20 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 21 of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– NYSE–2016–66 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSE–2016–66. 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 19 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 21 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). 17 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 18 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Oct 21, 2016 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–NYSE– 2016–66 and should be submitted on or before November 14, 2016. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.22 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–25577 Filed 10–21–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No: SSA–2016–0051] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection packages requiring clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with Public Law 104–13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. This notice includes revisions of OMB-approved information collections. SSA is soliciting comments on the accuracy of the agency’s burden estimate; the need for the information; its practical utility; ways to enhance its quality, utility, and clarity; and ways to minimize burden on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Mail, email, or fax your comments and recommendations on the information collection(s) to the OMB Desk Officer and SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the following addresses or fax numbers. (OMB), Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA, Fax: 202–395–6974, Email address: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov 20 17 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00134 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 73189 22 17 E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 24OCN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 205 (Monday, October 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73187-73189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25577]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79115; File No. SR-NYSE-2016-66]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
Amending Article IV, Section 4.05 of the Tenth Amended and Restated
Operating Agreement of the Exchange

October 18, 2016.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby
given that on October 6, 2016, New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' or
the ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I,
II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-
regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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\1\ 15 U.S.C.78s(b)(1).
\2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
\3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to amend Article IV, Section 4.05 of the
Tenth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Exchange
(``Operating Agreement'') regarding use of regulatory assets, fees,
fines and penalties, and make additional, non-substantive edits. The
proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at
www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the
Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization
included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most
significant parts of such statements.

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 Article IV, Section 4.05 (Limitation
on Distributions) of the Operating Agreement (``Section 4.05''),
regarding use of regulatory assets, fees, fines and penalties
(``Regulatory Funds''), and make additional, non-substantive edits.
Proposed Amendment to Section 4.05
Section 4.05 provides that:
[t]he Company shall not use any regulatory assets or any regulatory
fees, fines or penalties collected by the Exchange's regulatory staff
for commercial purposes or distribute such assets, fees, fines or
penalties to the Member or any other entity.\4\
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\4\ See Tenth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of New
York Stock Exchange LLC, Art. IV, Sec. 4.05; see also Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 78805 (September 9, 2016), 81 FR 63536
(September 15, 2016) (SR-NYSE-2016-51).
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Although it prohibits the use of Regulatory Funds for ``commercial
purposes,'' that term is not defined in Section 4.05 or elsewhere in
the Operating Agreement. Accordingly, to add greater clarity to the
limits on the use of Regulatory Funds, the Exchange proposes to replace
the prohibition against using Regulatory Funds for ``commercial
purposes'' with a statement that Regulatory Funds ``will be applied to
fund the legal, regulatory and surveillance operations'' of the
Exchange. The prohibition on using Regulatory Funds for distributions
to the Member or any other entity would remain.
In addition, ``Exchange'' is not a defined term in the Operating
Agreement, which defines the Exchange as the ``Company.'' Accordingly,
the Exchange proposes to replace ``Exchange's regulatory staff'' with
``Company's regulatory staff.''
The amended Section 4.05 would read as follows:

Any regulatory assets or any regulatory fees, fines or penalties
collected by the Company's regulatory staff will be applied to fund
the legal, regulatory and surveillance operations of the Company,
and the Company shall not distribute such assets, fees, fines or
penalties to the Member or any other entity.

The Exchange believes that the increased clarity in the scope of
the limits on use of Regulatory Funds will enhance the protections
provided by Section 4.05 against the possibility that Regulatory Funds
may be assessed to respond to the Exchange's budgetary needs rather
than to serve a disciplinary purpose.\5\
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\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77899 (May 24,
2016), 81 FR 34393 (May 31, 2016) (SR-NYSE-2016-37).
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The proposed amendments would have the benefit of bringing Section
4.05 into greater conformity with the bylaws of the Exchange's
affiliate NYSE Arca, Inc., which provide that regulatory fees and
penalties ``will be applied to fund the legal, regulatory and
surveillance operations of the Exchange.'' \6\
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\6\ See Bylaws of NYSE Arca, Inc., Art. II, Sec. 2.06 (``Any
revenues received by the Exchange from regulatory fees or regulatory
penalties will be applied to fund the legal, regulatory and
surveillance operations of the Exchange and will not be used to pay
dividends. For purposes of this Section, regulatory penalties shall
include restitution and disgorgement of funds intended for
customers.''). The Exchange's affiliate NYSE MKT LLC has submitted
substantially the same proposed amendment to its operating
agreement. See SR-NYSEMKT-2016-93.
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The proposed amendments would make Section 4.05 more consistent
with the limitations on the use of regulatory income of other self-
regulatory organizations (``SROs''). Most such limitations are
substantially similar to the proposed revised Section 4.05. For
example, similar to the proposed Section 4.05, the limited liability
company agreements of the BOX Options Exchange (``BOX''), International
Securities Exchange, LLC (``ISE''), and its affiliates ISE Gemini, LLC
and ISE Mercury, LLC, provide that regulatory funds shall be used to
fund the relevant SRO's legal, regulatory and surveillance
operations.\7\ Consistent

[[Page 73188]]

with the proposed revised Section 4.05, their definition of
``regulatory funds'' includes fees, fines or penalties derived from its
regulatory operations.\8\
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\7\ Such provisions also limit the relevant SRO from making any
distribution to its member using regulatory funds. See Box Options
Exchange Limited Liability Company Agreement, Art. 1, Sec. 1.1 and
Art. 8, Sec. 8.1; Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement of International Securities Exchange, LLC, Art.
III, Sec. 3.3(ii); Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement of ISE Gemini, LLC, Art. III, Sec. 3.3(ii); and
Limited Liability Company Agreement of ISE Mercury, LLC, Art. III,
Sec. 3.3(ii).
\8\ The BOX definition of regulatory funds also states that such
funds ``shall not include revenues derived from listing fees, market
data revenues, transaction revenues or any other aspect of the
commercial operations of the Exchange or a facility of the Exchange,
even if a portion of such revenues are used to pay costs associated
with the regulatory operations of the Exchange.'' Box Options
Exchange Limited Liability Company Agreement, Art. 1, Sec. 1.1. The
agreements of ISE and its affiliates have substantially similar
language. See Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
Agreement of International Securities Exchange, LLC, Art. III, Sec.
3.3(ii); Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
Agreement of ISE Gemini, LLC, Art. III, Sec. 3.3(ii); and Limited
Liability Company Agreement of ISE Mercury, LLC, Art. III, Sec.
3.3(ii).
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Some SROs have provisions that are less restrictive than the
proposed Section 4.05. More specifically, the governing documents of
affiliates Bats BZX Exchange, Inc., Bats BYX Exchange, Inc., Bats EDGX
Exchange, Inc., and Bats EDGA Exchange, Inc. permit such SROs to use
regulatory funds to fund legal and regulatory operations, including
surveillance and enforcement activities, but also provide that revenues
received from fees derived from the regulatory function or regulatory
penalties may be used to pay restitution and disgorgement of funds
intended for customers.\9\ The limited liability company agreement of
Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC, and bylaws of National
Stock Exchange, Inc., have similar provisions.\10\ By contrast, the
operating agreement of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'') simply
limits Nasdaq from making a distribution to its member using regulatory
funds, and does not impose other restrictions.\11\
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\9\ The described revenues may not be used for non-regulatory
purposes or distributed to the stockholder. See Fourth Amended and
Restated Bylaws of Bats BZX Exchange, Inc., Art. X, Sec. 4; Fourth
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Bats BYX Exchange, Inc., Art. X, Sec.
4; Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.,
Art. X, Sec. 4; and Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Bats EDGA
Exchange, Inc., Art. X, Sec. 4.
\10\ See Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
Agreement of Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC, Art. IX,
Sec. 9.4 (``Any Regulatory Funds will not be used for non-regulatory
purposes or distributed to the LLC Member, but rather, shall be
applied to fund the legal and regulatory operations of the Company
(including surveillance and enforcement activities), or, as the case
may be, shall be used to pay restitution and disgorgement of funds
intended for customers.''); Third Amended and Restated By-laws of
National Stock Exchange, Inc., Art. X, Sec. 10.4 (``Any revenues
received by the Exchange from fees derived from its regulatory
function or regulatory penalties will not be used to pay dividends
and shall be applied to fund the legal and regulatory operations of
the Exchange (including surveillance and enforcement activities),
or, as the case may be, shall be used to pay restitution and
disgorgement of funds intended for customers.''); see also Amended
and Restated By-Laws of Miami International Securities Exchange,
LLC, Art. IX, Sec. 9.4.
\11\ See Second Amended Limited Liability Company Agreement of
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, Sec. 15. See also by-laws of NASDAQ BX,
Inc., Art. IX, Sec. 9.8, and Second Amended Limited Liability
Company Agreement of NASDAQ PHLX LLC, Sec. 14. When the NASDAQ OMX
Group, Inc. acquired the Boston Stock Exchange (``BSE''), the BSE
by-laws were amended to include a similar provision that dividends
could not be paid to the stockholders using regulatory funds. See
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58324 (August 7, 2008), 73 FR
46936 (August 12, 2008) (SR-BSE- 2008-02; SR-BSE-2008-23; SR-BSE-
2008-25; SR-BSECC-2008-01), at 46942.
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Additional Proposed Amendments
The Exchange proposes to make a non-substantive amendment to the
second sentence of Article II, Section 2.03(h)(iii) (Board). Currently,
the sentence provides that the Committee for Review (``CFR'') will be
responsible for, among other things, ``reviewing determinations to
limit or prohibit the continued listing of an issuer's securities on
the Exchange.'' The Exchange proposes to replace ``Exchange'' with
``exchange operated by the Company.'' The Exchange proposes to make the
change because, as noted above, ``Exchange'' is not a defined term in
the Operating Agreement.
Finally, the Exchange proposes to make technical and conforming
changes to the recitals and signature page of the Operating Agreement.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b) of the Exchange Act \12\ in general, and Section
6(b)(1) \13\ in particular, in that it enables the Exchange to be so
organized as to have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes
of the Exchange Act and to comply, and to enforce compliance by its
exchange members and persons associated with its exchange members, with
the provisions of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations
thereunder, and the rules of the Exchange.
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\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
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The Exchange believes that replacing the current prohibition
against using Regulatory Funds for undefined ``commercial purposes''
with a requirement that Regulatory Funds ``be applied to fund the
legal, regulatory and surveillance operations'' of the Exchange would
enable the Exchange to be so organized as to have the capacity to be
able to carry out the purposes of the Exchange Act and to comply with
the provisions of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations
thereunder, and the rules of the Exchange, because it would add greater
clarity to the limits on the use of Regulatory Funds, enhancing the
protections provided by Section 4.05 against the possibility that
Regulatory Funds may be assessed to respond to the Exchange's budgetary
needs rather than to serve a disciplinary purpose.\14\ The proposed
changes to Section 4.05 would make it more transparent to market
participants.
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\14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77899 (May 24,
2016), 81 FR 34393 (May 31, 2016) (SR-NYSE-2016-37).
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Similarly, the Exchange believes that replacing ``Exchange's
regulatory staff'' with ``Company's regulatory staff'' in Section 4.05
and replacing ``Exchange'' with ``exchange operated by the Company'' in
Article II, Section 2.03(h)(iii) would enable the Exchange to be so
organized as to have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes
of the Exchange Act and to comply with the provisions of the Exchange
Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of the
Exchange, because it would add greater clarity to the Operating
Agreement by using the defined term ``Company'' instead of
``Exchange,'' which is not defined in the Operating Agreement.
For the same reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule
changes are consistent with Section 6(b)(4),\15\ which requires that
the rules of the exchange provide for the equitable allocation of
reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among the exchange's members
and issuers and other persons using its facilities, and Section
6(b)(5),\16\ which requires that the rules of the 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. The proposed changes would
add greater clarity to the limits on the use of Regulatory Funds,
enhancing the protections provided by Section 4.05, and ensure the use
of defined terms, thereby making Section 4.05 and Article

[[Page 73189]]

II, Section 2.03(h)(iii) more transparent to market participants.
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\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
\16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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The Exchange notes that the proposed change to Section 4.05 would
have the additional benefit of bringing the Exchange's restrictions on
the use of regulatory assets and income into greater conformity with
those of its affiliate NYSE Arca, Inc. In addition, the proposed
amendments would make Section 4.05 more consistent with the limitations
on the use of regulatory income of other SROs. Most such limitations
are substantially similar to the proposed revised Section 4.05. In
fact, the proposed Section 4.05 is more restrictive than the provisions
of some other SROs, whose rules allow the use of regulatory funds for
restitution and disgorgement of funds intended for customers, or simply
limit the SRO from making a distribution to its member using regulatory
funds.

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 Exchange Act. The proposed rule
change is not intended to address competitive issues but rather is
concerned solely with the administration and functioning of the
Exchange.

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

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

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

The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \17\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\18\
Because the 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 prior to
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.
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\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \19\ normally
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii),\20\ the Commission
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest.
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\19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under
Section 19(b)(2)(B) \21\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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\21\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-NYSE-2016-66 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2016-66. 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-NYSE-2016-66 and should be
submitted on or before November 14, 2016.
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\22\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\22\
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-25577 Filed 10-21-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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