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###### Securities and Exchange Commission

          - [Release No. 34-43496; File No. SR-NYSE-00-44]

                    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 October 27, 2000, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the NYSE. 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 is proposing to extend its pilot programs for mediation and administrative conferences (NYSE Rules 638 and 639) that expire on November 20, 2000. The Exchange has separately requested that the pilot programs, as amended, (“the amended pilots”) be extended for two years.[3]                                          An extension of the present pilots is needed pending the Commission's approval or disapproval of the amended pilots.                

## 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 NYSE included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The NYSE 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

                    On November 19, 1998, the Commission approved a two-year pilot program for mediation and administrative conferences in the Exchange's arbitration facility.[4]                                          The pilot mediation program is intended to allow parties to settle cases earlier with lower costs. The administrative conference allows arbitrators to intervene early in the case to set deadlines and resolve preliminary procedural issues. On September 27, 2000, the Exchange requested Commission approval to amend and extend the pilot programs for mediation and administrative conferences.[5]                                          The Exchange is requesting an extension of the present pilot programs pending the Commission's decision to approve or disapprove its request to amend and extend the pilot programs. The Exchange believes that the pilot programs are operating successfully, and on that basis, the Exchange believes that a six-month extension of the pilots is warranted. By this filing, the Exchange is not seeking to modify the present pilot programs.                

#### 2. Statutory Basis

                    The Exchange believes that proposed changes are consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act in that they promote just and equitable principles of trade by insuring that members and member organizations and the public have a fair and impartial forum for the resolution of their disputes.                          ( print page 67030)    

### 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.

### 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

                    Because the foregoing proposed rule: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) does not become operative for 30 days or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 10(b)(3)(A) of the Act [6]                                          and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder. [7] 

                    The Commission notes that under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the proposal does not become operative for 30 days after date of its filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange requested a waiver of this 30-day period to extend the pilot programs before they are due to expire on November 20, 2000. The Commission believes that the waiver of the 30-day period is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. [8] 

Any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, as amended, 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.

#### 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. Persons making written submissions should file six copies there of with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. 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 the NYSE. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NYSE-00-44 and should be submitted by November 29, 2000.

                        For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, Pursuant to delegated authority. [9] 

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy 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*                         File No. SR-NYSE-00-39.                    
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4.                                                     *See*                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 40695 (November 19, 1998), 63 FR 65834 (November 30, 1998).                    
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5.                                                     *See supra*                         note 3.                    
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6.                             15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                    
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7.                             17 CFR 240.196b-4(F)(6)
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8.                             For purposes of accelerating the operative date of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation 15 U.S.C.78c(f).                    
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9.                                 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).                        
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[FR Doc. 00-28652  Filed 11-7-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8010-01-M