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###### Securities and Exchange Commission

          - [Release No. 34-49147; File No. SR-ISE-2003-32]

                    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”),[1]                                          and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,[2]                                          notice is hereby given that on November 20, 2003, the International Securities Exchange, Inc. (“Exchange” or “ISE”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the ISE. On January 2, 2004, the ISE filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.[3]                                          The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons.                

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

                    ISE is proposing, on a pilot basis from December 1, 2003 through May 31, 2004, a reduction in and a cap on execution fees, and a cap on comparison fees for options on the Nasdaq 100 Index Tracking Stocksm                     (“QQQ”).                

## 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 ISE included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. ISE has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

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

#### 1. Purpose

The ISE is proposing to amend its Schedule of Fees to impose, on a pilot basis through May 31, 2004, both a reduction in and a cap on execution fees, and a cap on comparison fees for QQQ options. Specifically, any member with monthly average daily trading volume (“ADV”) of 8,000 contracts in QQQ options would receive a $.10 discount from the standard execution fees (excluding surcharge fees) for contracts traded above that amount, up to ADV of 10,000 contracts. For contracts in QQQ options traded in excess of 10,000 ADV for a month, the Exchange will waive all execution fees (excluding surcharge fees) and comparison fees. Current ISE execution fees (excluding surcharge fees) range from $.21 to $.12 a contract, depending on the exchange's trading volume; the comparison fee is $.03 a contract. The proposed fee changes are intended to increase the Exchange's competitiveness in trading the QQQ options.

#### 2. Basis

                    The ISE believes that the proposal is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act,[4]                                          and in particular, with the requirements of section 6(b)(4) of the Act,[5]                                          in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its members and other persons using its facilities.                

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

The ISE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any inappropriate burden on competition.

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

The ISE has neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change.

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

                    The foregoing proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act [6]                                          and Rule 19b-4(f)(2)[7]                                          thereunder, in that it establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the self-regulatory organization, which renders the proposal effective upon filing. At any time within 60 days of the filing of Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate 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.[8] 

## IV. Solicitation of Comments

                    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Comments may also be submitted electronically at the following e-mail address:                     *rule-comments@sec.gov*. All comment letters should refer to File No. SR-ISE-2003-32. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, comments should be sent in hard copy or by e-mail but not by both methods. 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 inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of ISE. All submissions should refer to file number SR-ISE-2003-32 and should be submitted by February 26, 2004.                

      ( print page 5630)    
                        For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.[9] 

Jill M. Peterson,

Assistant Secretary.

# Footnotes

1.                             15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                    
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2.                             17 CFR 240.19b-4.                    
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3.                                                     *See*                         letter from Michael Simon, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, ISE, to Nancy Sanow, Assistant Director, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, dated January 2, 2004 (“Amendment No. 1”). Amendment No. 1 replaces the original proposal in its entirety.                    
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4.                             15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                    
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5.                             15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).                    
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6.                             15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).                    
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7.                             17 CFR 19b-4(f)(2).                    
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8.                             For purposes of calculating the sixty-day abrogation period, the Commission considers the abrogation period to have begun on January 2, 2004, the date on which the Commission received Amendment No. 1.                    
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9.                                 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).                        
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[FR Doc. 04-2337 Filed 2-4-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8010-01-P