Tortoise Tax-Advantaged Social Infrastructure Fund, Inc. and Tortoise Credit Strategies, LLC, 28605-28608 [2019-12905]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 19, 2019 / Notices information included on Report Cards. DTC believes the proposed rule change may promote competition, because the reduced cost to Participants to request eligibility for Non-Conforming Structed Securities, due to the proposed elimination of the Exception Processing Fee, may facilitate a Participant’s ability to request eligibility for such Securities at DTC. (C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others DTC has not received or solicited any written comments relating to this proposal. DTC will notify the Commission of any written comments received by DTC. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change, and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 23 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.24 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES 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– DTC–2019–002 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange 23 15 24 17 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:06 Jun 18, 2019 Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–DTC–2019–002. 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 website (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 website 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 DTC and on DTCC’s website (https://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rulefilings.aspx). All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–DTC– 2019–002 and should be submitted on or before July 10, 2019. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.25 Eduardo A. Aleman, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–12924 Filed 6–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Investment Company Act Release No. 33509; File No. 812–14854] Tortoise Tax-Advantaged Social Infrastructure Fund, Inc. and Tortoise Credit Strategies, LLC June 13, 2019. Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 25 17 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00147 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28605 Notice of an application under section 6(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Act’’) for an exemption from sections 18(a)(2), 18(c) and 18(i) of the Act, under sections 6(c) and 23(c) of the Act for an exemption from rule 23c–3 under the Act, and for an order pursuant to section 17(d) of the Act and rule 17d– 1 under the Act. SUMMARY OF APPLICATION: Applicants request an order to permit certain registered closed-end management investment companies to issue multiple classes of shares and to impose early withdrawal charges and asset-based distribution and shareholder service fees. APPLICANTS: Tortoise Tax-Advantaged Social Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (the ‘‘Initial Fund’’) and Tortoise Credit Strategies, LLC (the ‘‘Adviser’’). FILING DATES: The application was filed on December 18, 2017 and amended on June 14, 2018, November 5, 2018 and April 24, 2019. HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An order granting the requested relief will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. Interested persons may request a hearing by writing to the Commission’s Secretary and serving applicants with a copy of the request, personally or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the Commission by 5:30 p.m. on July 8, 2019, and should be accompanied by proof of service on the applicants, in the form of an affidavit, or, for lawyers, a certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under the Act, hearing requests should state the nature of the writer’s interest, any facts bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the reason for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to be notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the Commission’s Secretary. ADDRESSES: Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549–1090; Applicants: Jeremy Goff, Tortoise Credit Strategies, LLC, 11550 Ash Street, Suite 300, Leawood, KS 66211. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Asen Parachkevov, Senior Counsel, or Andrea Ottomanelli Magovern, Branch Chief, at (202) 551–6821 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel’s Office). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the application. The complete application may be obtained via the Commission’s website by searching for the file number, or for an applicant using the Company name box, at https:// E:\FR\FM\19JNN1.SGM 19JNN1 28606 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 19, 2019 / Notices www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by calling (202) 551–8090. Applicants’ Representations 1. The Initial Fund is a Maryland corporation that is registered under the Act as a continuously offered, nondiversified, closed-end management investment company that operates as an interval fund. The Initial Fund’s investment objective is to seek to generate attractive total return with an emphasis on tax-advantaged income. 2. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Initial Fund. 3. The applicants seek an order to permit the Funds (as defined below) to issue multiple classes of shares and to impose early withdrawal charges and asset-based distribution and shareholder service fees with respect to certain classes. 4. Applicants request that the order also apply to any continuously-offered registered closed-end management investment company that has been previously organized or that may be organized in the future for which the Adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser, or any successor in interest to any such entity,1 acts as investment adviser, distributor or underwriter and which operates as an interval fund pursuant to rule 23c–3 under the Act and/or provides periodic liquidity with respect to its shares pursuant to rule 13e–4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’) (each, a ‘‘Future Fund’’ and together with the Initial Fund, each a ‘‘Fund’’ and collectively, the ‘‘Funds’’).2 5. The Initial Fund is currently conducting a continuous offering of its Institutional Class I common stock (the ‘‘Class I shares’’). Additional offerings by the Initial Fund or any Future Fund relying on the order may be on a private placement or public offering basis. Shares of the Funds will not be listed on any securities exchange nor publicly traded. There is currently no secondary market for the shares and the Funds expect that no secondary market will develop. jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES 1A successor in interest is limited to an entity that results from a reorganization into another jurisdiction or a change in the type of business organization. 2 Any Fund relying on this relief in the future will do so in compliance with the terms and conditions of the application. Applicants represent that each entity presently intending to rely on the requested relief is listed as an applicant. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:06 Jun 18, 2019 Jkt 247001 6. If the requested relief is granted, the Initial Fund anticipates it will continuously offer additional classes of shares, with each class having its own fee and expense structure. Because of the different distribution and/or shareholder services fees, services and any other class expenses that may be attributable to each class of shares of the Initial Fund, the net income attributable to, and the dividends payable on, each class of shares may differ from each other. 7. Applicants state that shares of a Fund may be subject to a repurchase fee at a rate no greater than 2% of a shareholder’s repurchase proceeds if the interval between the date of purchase of the shares and the valuation date with respect to the repurchase of those shares is less than one year. To the extent a Fund determines to waive, impose scheduled variations of, or eliminate a repurchase fee, it will do so consistently with the requirements of rule 22d–1 under the Act and as if such fund were an open-end investment company and the Fund’s waiver of, scheduled variation in, or elimination of, the repurchase fee will apply uniformly to all shareholders of such Fund regardless of class. Repurchase fees will apply equally to all classes of shares of a Fund, consistent with section 18 of the Act and rule 18f–3 thereunder. 8. The Initial Fund has adopted a fundamental policy to offer to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding shares at net asset value on a quarterly basis. Such repurchase offers will be conducted pursuant to rule 23c– 3 under the Act. Each of the Future Funds will likewise adopt fundamental investment policies in compliance with rule 23c–3 and make repurchase offers to its shareholders at periodic intervals and/or provide periodic liquidity with respect to its shares pursuant to rule 13e–4 under the Exchange Act.3 Any repurchase offers made by the Funds will be made to all holders of shares of each such Fund. 9. Applicants represent that any assetbased service and distribution fees for each class of shares will comply with the provisions of FINRA Rule 2341(d) (‘‘FINRA Sales Charge Rule’’).4 Applicants also represent that each Fund will disclose in its prospectus the 3 Applicants submit that rule 23c–3 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act permit an interval fund to make repurchase offers to repurchase its shares while engaging in a continuous offering of its shares pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 4 All references in the application to the FINRA Sales Charge Rule include any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority successor or replacement rule to the FINRA Sales Charge Rule. PO 00000 Frm 00148 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 fees, expenses and other characteristics of each class of shares offered for sale by the prospectus, as is required for open-end multiple class funds under Form N–1A. As is required for open-end funds, each Fund will disclose its expenses in shareholder reports, and describe any arrangements that result in breakpoints in or elimination of sales loads in its prospectus.5 In addition, applicants will comply with applicable enhanced fee disclosure requirements for fund of funds, including registered funds of hedge funds.6 10. Each Fund will comply with any requirements that the Commission or FINRA may adopt regarding disclosure at the point of sale and in transaction confirmations about the costs and conflicts of interest arising out of the distribution of open-end investment company shares, and regarding prospectus disclosure of sales loads and revenue sharing arrangements, as if those requirements applied to each Fund. In addition, each Fund will contractually require that any distributor of the Fund’s shares comply with such requirements in connection with the distribution of such Fund’s shares. 11. Each Fund will allocate all expenses incurred by it among the various classes of shares based on the net assets of the Fund attributable to each class, except that the net asset value and expenses of each class will reflect the expenses associated with the distribution and/or shareholder services plan of that class (if any), shareholder services fees attributable to that class (if any), including transfer agency fees, and any other incremental expenses of that class. Expenses of a Fund allocated to a particular class of shares will be borne on a pro rata basis by each outstanding share of that class. Applicants state that each Fund will comply with the provisions of rule 18f-3 under the Act as if it were an open-end investment company. 12. Applicants state that each Fund may impose an early withdrawal charge on shares submitted for repurchase that have been held less than a specified 5 See Shareholder Reports and Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure of Registered Management Investment Companies, Investment Company Act Release No. 26372 (Feb. 27, 2004) (adopting release) (requiring open-end investment companies to disclose fund expenses in shareholder reports); and Disclosure of Breakpoint Discounts by Mutual Funds, Investment Company Act Release No. 26464 (June 7, 2004) (adopting release) (requiring open-end investment companies to provide prospectus disclosure of certain sales load information). 6 Fund of Funds Investments, Investment Company Act Rel. Nos. 26198 (Oct. 1, 2003) (proposing release) and 27399 (June 20, 2006) (adopting release). See also Rules 12d1–1, et seq. of the Act. E:\FR\FM\19JNN1.SGM 19JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 19, 2019 / Notices period and may waive the early withdrawal charge for certain categories of shareholders or transactions to be established from time to time. Applicants state that each Fund will apply the early withdrawal charge (and any waivers or scheduled variations of the early withdrawal charge) uniformly to all shareholders in a given class and consistently with the requirements of rule 22d–1 under the Act as if the Funds were open-end investment companies. 13. Each Fund operating as an interval fund pursuant to rule 23c–3 under the Act may offer its shareholders an exchange feature under which the shareholders of the Fund may, in connection with the Fund’s periodic repurchase offers, exchange their shares of the Fund for shares of the same class of (i) registered open-end investment companies or (ii) other registered closed-end investment companies that comply with rule 23c–3 under the Act and continuously offer their shares at net asset value, that are in the Fund’s group of investment companies (collectively, ‘‘Other Funds’’). Shares of a Fund operating pursuant to rule 23c– 3 that are exchanged for shares of Other Funds will be included as part of the amount of the repurchase offer amount for such Fund as specified in rule 23c– 3 under the Act. Any exchange option will comply with rule 11a–3 under the Act, as if the Fund were an open-end investment company subject to rule 11a–3. In complying with rule 11a–3, each Fund will treat an early withdrawal charge as if it were a contingent deferred sales load. jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES Applicants’ Legal Analysis Multiple Classes of Shares 1. Section 18(a)(2) of the Act provides that a closed-end investment company may not issue or sell a senior security that is a stock unless certain requirements are met. Applicants state that the creation of multiple classes of shares of the Funds may violate section 18(a)(2) because the Funds may not meet such requirements with respect to a class of shares that may be a senior security. 2. Section 18(c) of the Act provides, in relevant part, that a closed-end investment company may not issue or sell any senior security if, immediately thereafter, the company has outstanding more than one class of senior security. Applicants state that the creation of multiple classes of shares of the Funds may be prohibited by section 18(c), as a class may have priority over another class as to payment of dividends because shareholders of different classes would pay different fees and expenses. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:06 Jun 18, 2019 Jkt 247001 3. Section 18(i) of the Act provides that each share of stock issued by a registered management investment company will be a voting stock and have equal voting rights with every other outstanding voting stock. Applicants state that multiple classes of shares of the Funds may violate section 18(i) of the Act because each class would be entitled to exclusive voting rights with respect to matters solely related to that class. 4. Section 6(c) of the Act provides that the Commission may exempt any person, security or transaction or any class or classes of persons, securities or transactions from any provision of the Act, or from any rule or regulation under the Act, if and to the extent such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act. Applicants request an exemption under section 6(c) from sections 18(a)(2), 18(c) and 18(i) to permit the Funds to issue multiple classes of shares. 5. Applicants submit that the proposed allocation of expenses relating to distribution and voting rights among multiple classes is equitable and will not discriminate against any group or class of shareholders. Applicants submit that the proposed arrangements would permit a Fund to facilitate the distribution of its securities and provide investors with a broader choice of shareholder services. Applicants assert that the proposed closed-end investment company multiple class structure does not raise the concerns underlying section 18 of the Act to any greater degree than open-end investment companies’ multiple class structures that are permitted by rule 18f–3 under the Act. Applicants state that each Fund will comply with the provisions of rule 18f–3 as if it were an open-end investment company. Early Withdrawal Charges 1. Section 23(c) of the Act provides, in relevant part, that no registered closed-end investment company shall purchase securities of which it is the issuer, except: (a) On a securities exchange or other open market; (b) pursuant to tenders, after reasonable opportunity to submit tenders given to all holders of securities of the class to be purchased; or (c) under other circumstances as the Commission may permit by rules and regulations or orders for the protection of investors. 2. Rule 23c–3 under the Act permits an ‘‘interval fund’’ to make repurchase offers of between five and twenty-five percent of its outstanding shares at net PO 00000 Frm 00149 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28607 asset value at periodic intervals pursuant to a fundamental policy of the interval fund. Rule 23c–3(b)(1) under the Act permits an interval fund to deduct from repurchase proceeds only a repurchase fee, not to exceed two percent of the proceeds, that is paid to the interval fund and is reasonably intended to compensate the fund for expenses directly related to the repurchase. 3. Section 23(c)(3) provides that the Commission may issue an order that would permit a closed-end investment company to repurchase its shares in circumstances in which the repurchase is made in a manner or on a basis that does not unfairly discriminate against any holders of the class or classes of securities to be purchased. 4. Applicants request relief under section 6(c), discussed above, and section 23(c)(3) from rule 23c–3 to the extent necessary for the Funds to impose early withdrawal charges on shares of the Funds submitted for repurchase that have been held for less than a specified period. 5. Applicants state that the early withdrawal charges they intend to impose are functionally similar to contingent deferred sales loads imposed by open-end investment companies under rule 6c–10 under the Act. Rule 6c–10 permits open-end investment companies to impose contingent deferred sales loads, subject to certain conditions. Applicants note that rule 6c–10 is grounded in policy considerations supporting the employment of contingent deferred sales loads where there are adequate safeguards for the investor and state that the same policy considerations support imposition of early withdrawal charges in the interval fund context. In addition, applicants state that early withdrawal charges may be necessary for the distributor to recover distribution costs. Applicants represent that any early withdrawal charge imposed by the Funds will comply with rule 6c–10 under the Act as if the rule were applicable to closed-end investment companies. The Funds will disclose early withdrawal charges in accordance with the requirements of Form N–1A concerning contingent deferred sales loads. Asset-Based Distribution and Shareholder Service Fees 1. Section 17(d) of the Act and rule 17d–1 under the Act prohibit an affiliated person of a registered investment company, or an affiliated person of such person, acting as principal, from participating in or effecting any transaction in connection E:\FR\FM\19JNN1.SGM 19JNN1 28608 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 19, 2019 / Notices jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES with any joint enterprise or joint arrangement in which the investment company participates unless the Commission issues an order permitting the transaction. In reviewing applications submitted under section 17(d) and rule 17d–1, the Commission considers whether the participation of the investment company in a joint enterprise or joint arrangement is consistent with the provisions, policies and purposes of the Act, and the extent to which the participation is on a basis different from or less advantageous than that of other participants. 2. Rule 17d–3 under the Act provides an exemption from section 17(d) and rule 17d–1 to permit open-end investment companies to enter into distribution arrangements pursuant to rule 12b–1 under the Act. Applicants request an order under section 17(d) and rule 17d–1 under the Act to the extent necessary to permit the Fund to impose asset-based distribution and shareholder service fees. Applicants have agreed to comply with rules 12b–1 and 17d–3 as if those rules applied to closed-end investment companies, which they believe will resolve any concerns that might arise in connection with a Fund financing the distribution of its shares through asset-based distribution fees. For the reasons stated above, applicants submit that the exemptions requested under section 6(c) are necessary and appropriate in the public interest and are consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act. Applicants further submit that the relief requested pursuant to section 23(c)(3) will be consistent with the protection of investors and will insure that applicants do not unfairly discriminate against any holders of the class of securities to be purchased. Finally, applicants state that the Funds’ imposition of asset-based distribution and shareholder service fees is consistent with the provisions, policies and purposes of the Act and does not involve participation on a basis different from or less advantageous than that of other participants. Applicants’ Condition Applicants agree that any order granting the requested relief will be subject to the following condition: Each Fund relying on the order will comply with the provisions of rules 6c– 10, 12b–1, 17d–3, 18f–3, 22d–1, and, where applicable, 11a–3 under the Act, as amended from time to time, as if those rules applied to closed-end management investment companies, and will comply with the FINRA Sales Charge Rule, as amended from time to VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:06 Jun 18, 2019 Jkt 247001 time, as if that rule applied to all closedend management investment companies. For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, under delegated authority. Eduardo A. Aleman, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–12905 Filed 6–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION McLeod, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Yellow Medicine, and the Prairie Island Indian Community, Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Upper Sioux Community, and the White Earth Nation. The Interest Rates are: [Disaster Declaration #15988 and #15989; Minnesota Disaster Number MN–00068] Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Minnesota U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of MINNESOTA (FEMA–4442– DR), dated 06/12/2019. Incident: Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding. Incident Period: 03/12/2019 through 04/28/2019. DATES: Issued on 06/12/2019. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 08/12/2019. Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Application Deadline Date: 03/12/2020. ADDRESSES: Submit completed loan applications to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A. Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Suite 6050, Washington, DC 20416, (202) 205–6734. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that as a result of the President’s major disaster declaration on 06/12/2019, Private Non-Profit organizations that provide essential services of a governmental nature may file disaster loan applications at the address listed above or other locally announced locations. The following areas have been determined to be adversely affected by the disaster: Primary Counties: Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kittson, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00150 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Percent For Physical Damage: Non-Profit Organizations with Credit Available Elsewhere ... Non-Profit Organizations without Credit Available Elsewhere ..................................... For Economic Injury: Non-Profit Organizations without Credit Available Elsewhere ..................................... 2.750 2.750 2.750 The number assigned to this disaster for physical damage is 15988B and for economic injury is 159890. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 59008) Cynthia Pitts, Acting Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance. [FR Doc. 2019–12929 Filed 6–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8206–03–P SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration #15990 and #15991; Idaho Disaster Number ID–00078] Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Idaho U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Idaho (FEMA—4443—DR), dated 06/12/2019. Incident: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides. Incident Period: 04/07/2019 through 04/13/2019. DATES: Issued on 06/12/2019. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 08/12/2019. Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Application Deadline Date: 03/12/2020. ADDRESSES: Submit completed loan applications to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19JNN1.SGM 19JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 19, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28605-28608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-12905]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Investment Company Act Release No. 33509; File No. 812-14854]


Tortoise Tax-Advantaged Social Infrastructure Fund, Inc. and 
Tortoise Credit Strategies, LLC

June 13, 2019.
AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'').

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice of an application under section 6(c) of the Investment 
Company Act of 1940 (the ``Act'') for an exemption from sections 
18(a)(2), 18(c) and 18(i) of the Act, under sections 6(c) and 23(c) of 
the Act for an exemption from rule 23c-3 under the Act, and for an 
order pursuant to section 17(d) of the Act and rule 17d-1 under the 
Act.

Summary of Application: Applicants request an order to permit certain 
registered closed-end management investment companies to issue multiple 
classes of shares and to impose early withdrawal charges and asset-
based distribution and shareholder service fees.

Applicants: Tortoise Tax-Advantaged Social Infrastructure Fund, Inc. 
(the ``Initial Fund'') and Tortoise Credit Strategies, LLC (the 
``Adviser'').

Filing Dates: The application was filed on December 18, 2017 and 
amended on June 14, 2018, November 5, 2018 and April 24, 2019.

Hearing or Notification of Hearing: An order granting the requested 
relief will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. 
Interested persons may request a hearing by writing to the Commission's 
Secretary and serving applicants with a copy of the request, personally 
or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the Commission by 
5:30 p.m. on July 8, 2019, and should be accompanied by proof of 
service on the applicants, in the form of an affidavit, or, for 
lawyers, a certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0-5 under the Act, 
hearing requests should state the nature of the writer's interest, any 
facts bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the 
reason for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to 
be notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the 
Commission's Secretary.

ADDRESSES: Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F 
Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090; Applicants: Jeremy Goff, Tortoise 
Credit Strategies, LLC, 11550 Ash Street, Suite 300, Leawood, KS 66211.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Asen Parachkevov, Senior Counsel, or 
Andrea Ottomanelli Magovern, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6821 (Division 
of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the 
application. The complete application may be obtained via the 
Commission's website by searching for the file number, or for an 
applicant using the Company name box, at https://

[[Page 28606]]

www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by calling (202) 551-8090.

Applicants' Representations

    1. The Initial Fund is a Maryland corporation that is registered 
under the Act as a continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end 
management investment company that operates as an interval fund. The 
Initial Fund's investment objective is to seek to generate attractive 
total return with an emphasis on tax-advantaged income.
    2. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company and is 
registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act 
of 1940. The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Initial Fund.
    3. The applicants seek an order to permit the Funds (as defined 
below) to issue multiple classes of shares and to impose early 
withdrawal charges and asset-based distribution and shareholder service 
fees with respect to certain classes.
    4. Applicants request that the order also apply to any 
continuously-offered registered closed-end management investment 
company that has been previously organized or that may be organized in 
the future for which the Adviser or any entity controlling, controlled 
by, or under common control with the Adviser, or any successor in 
interest to any such entity,\1\ acts as investment adviser, distributor 
or underwriter and which operates as an interval fund pursuant to rule 
23c-3 under the Act and/or provides periodic liquidity with respect to 
its shares pursuant to rule 13e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (``Exchange Act'') (each, a ``Future Fund'' and together with the 
Initial Fund, each a ``Fund'' and collectively, the ``Funds'').\2\
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    \1\ A successor in interest is limited to an entity that results 
from a reorganization into another jurisdiction or a change in the 
type of business organization.
    \2\ Any Fund relying on this relief in the future will do so in 
compliance with the terms and conditions of the application. 
Applicants represent that each entity presently intending to rely on 
the requested relief is listed as an applicant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    5. The Initial Fund is currently conducting a continuous offering 
of its Institutional Class I common stock (the ``Class I shares''). 
Additional offerings by the Initial Fund or any Future Fund relying on 
the order may be on a private placement or public offering basis. 
Shares of the Funds will not be listed on any securities exchange nor 
publicly traded. There is currently no secondary market for the shares 
and the Funds expect that no secondary market will develop.
    6. If the requested relief is granted, the Initial Fund anticipates 
it will continuously offer additional classes of shares, with each 
class having its own fee and expense structure. Because of the 
different distribution and/or shareholder services fees, services and 
any other class expenses that may be attributable to each class of 
shares of the Initial Fund, the net income attributable to, and the 
dividends payable on, each class of shares may differ from each other.
    7. Applicants state that shares of a Fund may be subject to a 
repurchase fee at a rate no greater than 2% of a shareholder's 
repurchase proceeds if the interval between the date of purchase of the 
shares and the valuation date with respect to the repurchase of those 
shares is less than one year. To the extent a Fund determines to waive, 
impose scheduled variations of, or eliminate a repurchase fee, it will 
do so consistently with the requirements of rule 22d-1 under the Act 
and as if such fund were an open-end investment company and the Fund's 
waiver of, scheduled variation in, or elimination of, the repurchase 
fee will apply uniformly to all shareholders of such Fund regardless of 
class. Repurchase fees will apply equally to all classes of shares of a 
Fund, consistent with section 18 of the Act and rule 18f-3 thereunder.
    8. The Initial Fund has adopted a fundamental policy to offer to 
repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding shares at net asset 
value on a quarterly basis. Such repurchase offers will be conducted 
pursuant to rule 23c-3 under the Act. Each of the Future Funds will 
likewise adopt fundamental investment policies in compliance with rule 
23c-3 and make repurchase offers to its shareholders at periodic 
intervals and/or provide periodic liquidity with respect to its shares 
pursuant to rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act.\3\ Any repurchase offers 
made by the Funds will be made to all holders of shares of each such 
Fund.
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    \3\ Applicants submit that rule 23c-3 and Regulation M under the 
Exchange Act permit an interval fund to make repurchase offers to 
repurchase its shares while engaging in a continuous offering of its 
shares pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended.
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    9. Applicants represent that any asset-based service and 
distribution fees for each class of shares will comply with the 
provisions of FINRA Rule 2341(d) (``FINRA Sales Charge Rule'').\4\ 
Applicants also represent that each Fund will disclose in its 
prospectus the fees, expenses and other characteristics of each class 
of shares offered for sale by the prospectus, as is required for open-
end multiple class funds under Form N-1A. As is required for open-end 
funds, each Fund will disclose its expenses in shareholder reports, and 
describe any arrangements that result in breakpoints in or elimination 
of sales loads in its prospectus.\5\ In addition, applicants will 
comply with applicable enhanced fee disclosure requirements for fund of 
funds, including registered funds of hedge funds.\6\
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    \4\ All references in the application to the FINRA Sales Charge 
Rule include any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority successor 
or replacement rule to the FINRA Sales Charge Rule.
    \5\ See Shareholder Reports and Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure 
of Registered Management Investment Companies, Investment Company 
Act Release No. 26372 (Feb. 27, 2004) (adopting release) (requiring 
open-end investment companies to disclose fund expenses in 
shareholder reports); and Disclosure of Breakpoint Discounts by 
Mutual Funds, Investment Company Act Release No. 26464 (June 7, 
2004) (adopting release) (requiring open-end investment companies to 
provide prospectus disclosure of certain sales load information).
    \6\ Fund of Funds Investments, Investment Company Act Rel. Nos. 
26198 (Oct. 1, 2003) (proposing release) and 27399 (June 20, 2006) 
(adopting release). See also Rules 12d1-1, et seq. of the Act.
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    10. Each Fund will comply with any requirements that the Commission 
or FINRA may adopt regarding disclosure at the point of sale and in 
transaction confirmations about the costs and conflicts of interest 
arising out of the distribution of open-end investment company shares, 
and regarding prospectus disclosure of sales loads and revenue sharing 
arrangements, as if those requirements applied to each Fund. In 
addition, each Fund will contractually require that any distributor of 
the Fund's shares comply with such requirements in connection with the 
distribution of such Fund's shares.
    11. Each Fund will allocate all expenses incurred by it among the 
various classes of shares based on the net assets of the Fund 
attributable to each class, except that the net asset value and 
expenses of each class will reflect the expenses associated with the 
distribution and/or shareholder services plan of that class (if any), 
shareholder services fees attributable to that class (if any), 
including transfer agency fees, and any other incremental expenses of 
that class. Expenses of a Fund allocated to a particular class of 
shares will be borne on a pro rata basis by each outstanding share of 
that class. Applicants state that each Fund will comply with the 
provisions of rule 18f-3 under the Act as if it were an open-end 
investment company.
    12. Applicants state that each Fund may impose an early withdrawal 
charge on shares submitted for repurchase that have been held less than 
a specified

[[Page 28607]]

period and may waive the early withdrawal charge for certain categories 
of shareholders or transactions to be established from time to time. 
Applicants state that each Fund will apply the early withdrawal charge 
(and any waivers or scheduled variations of the early withdrawal 
charge) uniformly to all shareholders in a given class and consistently 
with the requirements of rule 22d-1 under the Act as if the Funds were 
open-end investment companies.
    13. Each Fund operating as an interval fund pursuant to rule 23c-3 
under the Act may offer its shareholders an exchange feature under 
which the shareholders of the Fund may, in connection with the Fund's 
periodic repurchase offers, exchange their shares of the Fund for 
shares of the same class of (i) registered open-end investment 
companies or (ii) other registered closed-end investment companies that 
comply with rule 23c-3 under the Act and continuously offer their 
shares at net asset value, that are in the Fund's group of investment 
companies (collectively, ``Other Funds''). Shares of a Fund operating 
pursuant to rule 23c-3 that are exchanged for shares of Other Funds 
will be included as part of the amount of the repurchase offer amount 
for such Fund as specified in rule 23c-3 under the Act. Any exchange 
option will comply with rule 11a-3 under the Act, as if the Fund were 
an open-end investment company subject to rule 11a-3. In complying with 
rule 11a-3, each Fund will treat an early withdrawal charge as if it 
were a contingent deferred sales load.

Applicants' Legal Analysis

Multiple Classes of Shares

    1. Section 18(a)(2) of the Act provides that a closed-end 
investment company may not issue or sell a senior security that is a 
stock unless certain requirements are met. Applicants state that the 
creation of multiple classes of shares of the Funds may violate section 
18(a)(2) because the Funds may not meet such requirements with respect 
to a class of shares that may be a senior security.
    2. Section 18(c) of the Act provides, in relevant part, that a 
closed-end investment company may not issue or sell any senior security 
if, immediately thereafter, the company has outstanding more than one 
class of senior security. Applicants state that the creation of 
multiple classes of shares of the Funds may be prohibited by section 
18(c), as a class may have priority over another class as to payment of 
dividends because shareholders of different classes would pay different 
fees and expenses.
    3. Section 18(i) of the Act provides that each share of stock 
issued by a registered management investment company will be a voting 
stock and have equal voting rights with every other outstanding voting 
stock. Applicants state that multiple classes of shares of the Funds 
may violate section 18(i) of the Act because each class would be 
entitled to exclusive voting rights with respect to matters solely 
related to that class.
    4. Section 6(c) of the Act provides that the Commission may exempt 
any person, security or transaction or any class or classes of persons, 
securities or transactions from any provision of the Act, or from any 
rule or regulation under the Act, if and to the extent such exemption 
is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with 
the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the 
policy and provisions of the Act. Applicants request an exemption under 
section 6(c) from sections 18(a)(2), 18(c) and 18(i) to permit the 
Funds to issue multiple classes of shares.
    5. Applicants submit that the proposed allocation of expenses 
relating to distribution and voting rights among multiple classes is 
equitable and will not discriminate against any group or class of 
shareholders. Applicants submit that the proposed arrangements would 
permit a Fund to facilitate the distribution of its securities and 
provide investors with a broader choice of shareholder services. 
Applicants assert that the proposed closed-end investment company 
multiple class structure does not raise the concerns underlying section 
18 of the Act to any greater degree than open-end investment companies' 
multiple class structures that are permitted by rule 18f-3 under the 
Act. Applicants state that each Fund will comply with the provisions of 
rule 18f-3 as if it were an open-end investment company.

Early Withdrawal Charges

    1. Section 23(c) of the Act provides, in relevant part, that no 
registered closed-end investment company shall purchase securities of 
which it is the issuer, except: (a) On a securities exchange or other 
open market; (b) pursuant to tenders, after reasonable opportunity to 
submit tenders given to all holders of securities of the class to be 
purchased; or (c) under other circumstances as the Commission may 
permit by rules and regulations or orders for the protection of 
investors.
    2. Rule 23c-3 under the Act permits an ``interval fund'' to make 
repurchase offers of between five and twenty-five percent of its 
outstanding shares at net asset value at periodic intervals pursuant to 
a fundamental policy of the interval fund. Rule 23c-3(b)(1) under the 
Act permits an interval fund to deduct from repurchase proceeds only a 
repurchase fee, not to exceed two percent of the proceeds, that is paid 
to the interval fund and is reasonably intended to compensate the fund 
for expenses directly related to the repurchase.
    3. Section 23(c)(3) provides that the Commission may issue an order 
that would permit a closed-end investment company to repurchase its 
shares in circumstances in which the repurchase is made in a manner or 
on a basis that does not unfairly discriminate against any holders of 
the class or classes of securities to be purchased.
    4. Applicants request relief under section 6(c), discussed above, 
and section 23(c)(3) from rule 23c-3 to the extent necessary for the 
Funds to impose early withdrawal charges on shares of the Funds 
submitted for repurchase that have been held for less than a specified 
period.
    5. Applicants state that the early withdrawal charges they intend 
to impose are functionally similar to contingent deferred sales loads 
imposed by open-end investment companies under rule 6c-10 under the 
Act. Rule 6c-10 permits open-end investment companies to impose 
contingent deferred sales loads, subject to certain conditions. 
Applicants note that rule 6c-10 is grounded in policy considerations 
supporting the employment of contingent deferred sales loads where 
there are adequate safeguards for the investor and state that the same 
policy considerations support imposition of early withdrawal charges in 
the interval fund context. In addition, applicants state that early 
withdrawal charges may be necessary for the distributor to recover 
distribution costs. Applicants represent that any early withdrawal 
charge imposed by the Funds will comply with rule 6c-10 under the Act 
as if the rule were applicable to closed-end investment companies. The 
Funds will disclose early withdrawal charges in accordance with the 
requirements of Form N-1A concerning contingent deferred sales loads.

Asset-Based Distribution and Shareholder Service Fees

    1. Section 17(d) of the Act and rule 17d-1 under the Act prohibit 
an affiliated person of a registered investment company, or an 
affiliated person of such person, acting as principal, from 
participating in or effecting any transaction in connection

[[Page 28608]]

with any joint enterprise or joint arrangement in which the investment 
company participates unless the Commission issues an order permitting 
the transaction. In reviewing applications submitted under section 
17(d) and rule 17d-1, the Commission considers whether the 
participation of the investment company in a joint enterprise or joint 
arrangement is consistent with the provisions, policies and purposes of 
the Act, and the extent to which the participation is on a basis 
different from or less advantageous than that of other participants.
    2. Rule 17d-3 under the Act provides an exemption from section 
17(d) and rule 17d-1 to permit open-end investment companies to enter 
into distribution arrangements pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the Act. 
Applicants request an order under section 17(d) and rule 17d-1 under 
the Act to the extent necessary to permit the Fund to impose asset-
based distribution and shareholder service fees. Applicants have agreed 
to comply with rules 12b-1 and 17d-3 as if those rules applied to 
closed-end investment companies, which they believe will resolve any 
concerns that might arise in connection with a Fund financing the 
distribution of its shares through asset-based distribution fees.
    For the reasons stated above, applicants submit that the exemptions 
requested under section 6(c) are necessary and appropriate in the 
public interest and are consistent with the protection of investors and 
the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act. 
Applicants further submit that the relief requested pursuant to section 
23(c)(3) will be consistent with the protection of investors and will 
insure that applicants do not unfairly discriminate against any holders 
of the class of securities to be purchased. Finally, applicants state 
that the Funds' imposition of asset-based distribution and shareholder 
service fees is consistent with the provisions, policies and purposes 
of the Act and does not involve participation on a basis different from 
or less advantageous than that of other participants.

Applicants' Condition

    Applicants agree that any order granting the requested relief will 
be subject to the following condition:
    Each Fund relying on the order will comply with the provisions of 
rules 6c-10, 12b-1, 17d-3, 18f-3, 22d-1, and, where applicable, 11a-3 
under the Act, as amended from time to time, as if those rules applied 
to closed-end management investment companies, and will comply with the 
FINRA Sales Charge Rule, as amended from time to time, as if that rule 
applied to all closed-end management investment companies.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, 
under delegated authority.
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-12905 Filed 6-18-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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