[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 202 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61030-61031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20973]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 200

[Release No. 34-52602]


Adoption of Amendment to Delegation of Authority to Secretary of 
the Commission

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is 
amending its Delegation of Authority to Secretary of the Commission to 
permit the Secretary to waive the bond requirement set forth in the 
Rules on Fair Fund and Disgorgement Plans if the fair or disgorgement 
funds are held at the U.S. Department of the Treasury (``Treasury'') 
and will be disbursed by the Treasury. This amendment is intended to 
enhance efficient processing of disgorgement/fair fund plans and to 
lower the cost of plan administration.

DATES: Effective November 21, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Lynn Taylor, Assistant Secretary, 
Office of the Secretary 202-551-5400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The amendment is technical and procedural in 
nature.

I. Discussion

    The Commission has delegated authority to the Secretary to issue 
orders approving proposed fair fund and disgorgement plans following 
publication if no negative comments are received.\1\ Rule 1105(c) of 
the Commission's Rules on Fair Fund and

[[Page 61031]]

Disgorgement Plans requires that third-party administrators obtain a 
bond to protect against risk of loss of fair and disgorgement funds.\2\ 
Obtaining a bond for funds which will be administered by a third party, 
but held at Treasury and disbursed by Treasury, is neither necessary 
nor cost efficient because these funds will not be subject to the risks 
of loss or other dissipation that could occur were the funds held by a 
private entity. Because of this, the Commission is adopting amended 
Rule 30-7(a)(11) to permit the Secretary to waive the bond requirement 
if the funds are held at Treasury, and Treasury is distributing the 
funds. Nevertheless, the staff may submit plans to the Commission for 
consideration, as it deems appropriate.
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    \1\ 17 CFR 200.30-7(a)(11).
    \2\ 17 CFR 201.1105(c). The cost of the bond may be paid as a 
cost of administration. The rule permits the Commission to waive the 
bond for good cause shown.
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II. Administrative Procedure Act, Regulatory Flexibility Act and 
Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Commission finds, in accordance with Section 533(b)(3)(A) of 
the Administrative Procedure Act,\3\ that this revision relates solely 
to agency organization, procedure, or practice. It is therefore not 
subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act requiring 
notice and opportunity for public comment. The Regulatory Flexibility 
Act \4\ therefore does not apply. Because the rule relates to ``agency 
organization, procedure or practice that does not substantially affect 
the rights or obligations of non-agency parties,'' it is not subject to 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.\5\
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    \3\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
    \5\ 5 U.S.C. 804(3)(C).
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    These rules do not contain any collection of information 
requirements as defined by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as 
amended.\6\
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    \6\ 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
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III. Costs and Benefits of the Amendment

    The amendment is procedural and administrative in nature. The 
benefits to the parties are efficiency and fairness. The cost of the 
amendment, if any, falls on the Commission, not the parties.

IV. Effect on Efficiency, Competition, and Capital Formation

    The amendment is procedural and administrative in nature and will 
enhance the efficiency of the approval process for disgorgement/fair 
fund plans. It will have no effect on competition or capital formation.

V. Statutory Basis and Text of Proposed Amendment

    This amendment to Rule 30a-7 is being adopted pursuant to statutory 
authority granted to the Commission in Section 4A of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 78d-1.

List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 200

    Authority delegation (Government agencies).

Text of the Adopted Rule

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, Title 17, Chapter II of the 
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 200--ORGANIZATION; CONDUCT AND ETHICS; AND INFORMATION AND 
REQUESTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 200, subpart A continues to read in 
part as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77s, 77o, 77sss, 78d, 78d-1, 78d-2, 78w, 
78ll(d), 78mm, 79t, 80a-37, 80b-11, and 7202, unless otherwise 
noted.
* * * * *

0
2. Section 200.30-7 is amended by adding a sentence after the first 
sentence in paragraph (a)(11) to read as follows:


Sec.  200.30-7  Delegation of authority to Secretary of the Commission.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (11) * * * As part of this plan approval, the requirement set forth 
in Rule 1105(c) (Sec.  201.1105(c) of this chapter) may be waived if 
the fair or disgorgement funds are held at the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury and will be disbursed by Treasury. * * *
* * * * *

    Dated: October 13, 2005.

    By the Commission.
Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-20973 Filed 10-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P