Document ID: SEC-2007-0151-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Self-regulatory organizations; proposed rule changes: Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc.
Posted Date: 2007-02-01T05:00Z

[Federal Register: February 1, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 21)]
[Notices]               
[Page 4745-4751]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe07-98]                         

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-55172; File No. SR-CBOE-2006-110]

 
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change and Amendment 
No. 1 Thereto Relating to the Establishment of CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC

January 25, 2007.
    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 December 26, 2006, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated 
(the ``CBOE'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the ``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as 
described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been 
substantially prepared by the Exchange. CBOE filed Amendment No. 1 to 
the proposed rule change on January 10, 2007. The Commission is 
publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, 
as amended, from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 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

    CBOE proposes to establish CBOE Stock Exchange (``CBSX'') as a 
facility, as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act,\3\ of 
CBOE. CBSX will administer a fully automated marketplace for the 
trading of securities other than options by CBOE members. CBSX will be 
operated by CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC (``CBSX LLC''), a Delaware limited 
liability company. In this filing, CBOE submitted to the Commission the 
First Amended and Restated Operating Agreement (``Operating 
Agreement'') of CBSX LLC. The Certificate of Formation and the 
Operating Agreement are the source of CBSX LLC's governance and 
operating authority, and therefore, function in a similar manner as 
articles of incorporation and bylaws for a corporation. Additionally, 
CBOE proposes to adopt Rule 3.32 pertaining to ownership concentration 
and affiliation limitations.
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    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(2).
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    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site (http://www.cboe.com), at the Office of the Secretary, CBOE, 

and at the Commission's Public Reference Room. The text of the proposed 
rule change is also available on the Commission's Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml
).

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

    In its filing with the Commission, CBOE 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. CBOE 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
    CBOE is a registered national securities exchange under Section 6 
of the Act and a self-regulatory organization (``SRO''). CBOE indicates 
that CBSX will be a facility of CBOE, subject to self-regulation by 
CBOE and oversight by the SEC. CBOE will act as the SRO for CBSX 
pursuant to a Services Agreement to be entered into between CBOE and 
CBSX LLC. CBOE will have the primary regulatory responsibility for the 
activities of CBSX. CBOE represents that it has adequate funds to 
discharge all regulatory functions related to the facility that it has 
undertaken to perform under the Services Agreement.\4\
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    \4\ CBOE represents that CBSX LLC will not be entitled to any 
revenue generated in connection with penalties, fines, and 
regulatory fees that may be assessed by CBOE against CBOE members in 
connection with trading on CBSX. Rather, all regulatory fines, 
penalties and fees assessed against and paid by CBOE members to CBOE 
in connection with trading on CBSX shall remain with CBOE.

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[[Page 4746]]

    In this filing, CBOE submitted to the SEC the Certificate of 
Formation and the Operating Agreement of CBSX LLC, which specifically 
relate to the control and governance of CBSX LLC that would ensure that 
CBOE has the authority within CBSX LLC to maintain CBOE's 
responsibility for all regulatory functions related to CBSX. The 
Operating Agreement provides that CBOE and the SEC would have 
regulatory authority over the CBSX LLC owners and the members of CBSX 
LLC's Board of Directors. CBOE will submit separate rule filings to 
establish rules relating to listing, membership and trading on CBSX.\5\ 
Because the primary purpose of this rule filing is to focus on those 
provisions that are directly related to CBSX LLC's governance and 
ownership, and CBOE's authority for all regulatory functions of the 
CBSX, the Exchange's discussion in this filing will be limited to those 
relevant provisions of the Operating Agreement.
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    \5\ The Commission notes that on December 18, 2006, the Exchange 
filed a proposed rule change relating to a permit program for CBSX. 
See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54987, 71 FR 78481 (December 
29, 2006). The Commission also notes that on December 29, 2006, the 
Exchange filed a proposed rule change to establish the equity 
trading rules for CBSX. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
55034, 72 FR 1350 (January 11, 2007).
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CBSX LLC

    As a limited liability company, ownership of CBSX LLC is 
represented by limited liability membership interests in CBSX LLC. The 
holders of such interests are referred to as ``Owners'' in this rule 
filing.\6\ Initially, there are five Owners of CBSX LLC. CBOE is one of 
the Owners of CBSX LLC, and owns all ``Series A'' Voting Shares \7\ of 
CBSX LLC, representing (50%) of CBSX LLC.\8\ The other four Owners and 
their respective ownership interests are: VDM Chicago, LLC (20%); 
LaBranche & Co., Inc. (10%); IB Exchange Corp. (10%); and Susquehanna 
International Group, LLP. (10%). Each of these four Owners owns 
``Series B'' Voting Shares of CBSX LLC.
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    \6\ ``Owner'' means a limited liability company ``member'' as 
that term is defined in Sec.  18-101(11) of the Delaware Limited 
Liability Company Act (``DLLCA''), and shall include each Voting 
Owner and each Management Owner, but only so long as such person is 
shown on CBSX's books and records as the owner of at least one (1) 
Share (or fraction of one (1) Share). ``Owner'' shall include a 
``Substituted Owner'' as defined in Section 6.5(a) of the Operating 
Agreement, but only upon compliance with all of the requirements of 
Sections 6.4 and 6.5 of the Operating Agreement. For purposes of 
clarity, no person shall become an ``Owner'' as to any Shares, if 
the acquisition of those Shares will require a change of ownership 
notice to the SEC, or will constitute a proposed rule change subject 
to the requirements of the rule filing process of Section 19 of the 
Act, until all of the requirements of such notice or rule filing 
process have been accomplished and, if necessary, approved by the 
SEC. See Section 2.1(16) of the Operating Agreement.
    \7\ ``Voting Shares'' means those Shares entitled to vote on 
matters submitted to the Owners, which Voting Shares are held by the 
Voting Owners. See Section 2.1(27) of the Operating Agreement.
    \8\ As noted in Section 3.2 of the Operating Agreement, it is 
the intention of the Owners that no other members of CBSX LLC (other 
than Affiliates of CBOE) be owners of Series A Voting Shares, and 
that no additional Series A Voting Shares be authorized, created or 
issued for such purpose; provided however, that this provision is 
not intended to limit or restrict any rights of CBOE to transfer any 
of its Series A Voting Shares with the prior approval of the SEC as 
provided for in Article VI, including Section 6.14 of the Operating 
Agreement, or any other provision thereof, or any rights to be 
acquired by a transferee of those Shares as provided therein.
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    Under Section 3.2 of the Operating Agreement, the CBSX LLC Board of 
Directors may authorize the issuance of ``Series C'' Non-Voting 
Restricted Shares \9\ from time to time to employees, consultants, or 
officers of CBSX LLC, or any other person, each of whom will become a 
Management Owner \10\ of CBSX LLC.
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    \9\ ``Non-Voting Restricted Share'' means a Share held by a 
Management Owner containing the voting limitations and other 
restrictions described in the Operating Agreement. See Section 
2.1(15) of the Operating Agreement.
    \10\ ``Management Owner'' means a natural person who is 
identified on Exhibit A of the Operating Agreement (Exhibit 5C to 
the proposed rule change) as a Management Owner, who subsequently 
becomes a Management Owner pursuant to the provisions of Section 
3.2(c) of the Operating Agreement, or who is a transferee or 
assignee of Non-Voting Restricted Shares (other than a Voting 
Owner). See Section 2.1(13) of the Operating Agreement.
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    As provided in Section 8.9 of the Operating Agreement, the 
outstanding Series A Voting Shares shall, in the aggregate (and without 
being deemed to be a voting trust), be entitled to a number of votes 
equal to 50% of the total number of Voting Shares outstanding, on each 
matter submitted to a vote of the Owners. Each outstanding Series B 
Voting Share shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to 
a vote of the Owners. The Series C Non-Voting Restricted Shares shall 
not be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to a vote of the 
Owners.

Governance of CBSX LLC

    Pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Operating Agreement, CBSX LLC will 
be managed by or under the direction of its own Board of Directors. 
Section 9.2 of the Operating Agreement provides that the Board of 
Directors will consist of 9 Directors and also provides how the 
composition of the Board of Directors shall be determined. Each Owner 
owning Series B Voting Shares representing at least five percent (5%) 
of the aggregate ``Percentage Interests'' \11\ of CBSX LLC shall be 
entitled to designate one Director. The Owners of Series A Voting 
Shares (currently, CBOE) shall collectively be entitled to designate a 
number of Directors equal to the aggregate number of Directors 
designated by the Owners owning Series B Voting Shares representing at 
least five percent (5%) of the aggregate Percentage Interests of CBSX 
LLC. The Directors then shall designate one additional Director from 
the executive management of CBSX LLC.
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    \11\ ``Percentage Interest'' means with respect to an Owner, a 
fraction (expressed as a percentage) determined from time to time, 
the numerator of which is the number of all Shares held by such 
Owner and the denominator of which is the sum of all Shares held by 
all Owners. See Section 2.1(17) of the Operating Agreement.
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    Thus, initially, VDM Chicago, LLC, LaBranche & Co., Inc., IB 
Exchange Corp., and Susquehanna International Group, LLP will each be 
entitled to designate one Director. CBOE, as the Owner of the Series A 
shares, will be entitled to designate four Directors. The eight 
Directors will then designate one additional Director from among the 
executive management of CBSX LLC.
    Section 9.2 of the Operating Agreement also provides that as long 
as CBSX remains a facility of CBOE, CBOE shall have the right to 
retain/designate one Director in the event CBOE is no longer otherwise 
entitled to designate any Directors pursuant to Section 9.2 of the 
Operating Agreement, whether or not CBOE maintains any Percentage 
Interest or is admitted to CBSX as an Owner.
    Under Section 9.3 of the Operating Agreement, a Director appointed 
pursuant to Section 9.2 of the Operating Agreement shall serve until 
his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal in a manner permitted 
by applicable law or the Operating Agreement, or, with respect to 
Directors designated by Owners of Series B Voting Shares, until such 
time as the Owner designating such Director ceases to own a Percentage 
Interest representing at least five percent (5%) of the aggregate 
Percentage Interests of CBSX LLC. In such latter event, upon the 
termination of service of such a Series B-designated Director, the 
service of a single Director designated by the Owner(s) of the Series A 
Voting Shares (identified by the Series A Owner(s) in their sole 
discretion) shall simultaneously terminate.
    Section 1.8 of the Operating Agreement provides that 
notwithstanding anything contained in

[[Page 4747]]

the Operating Agreement to the contrary, so long as CBSX is a facility 
of CBOE, in the event that CBOE, in its sole discretion, determines 
that any action, transaction or aspect of an action or transaction, is 
necessary or appropriate for, or interferes with, the performance or 
fulfillment of CBOE's regulatory functions, its responsibilities under 
the Act or as specifically required by the SEC (collectively, 
``Regulatory Requirements''), (i) CBOE's affirmative vote will be 
required to be included in order to constitute a ``Super Majority Vote 
of the Owners,'' \12\ (ii) without CBOE's affirmative vote no such 
action, transaction or aspect of an action or transaction shall be 
authorized, undertaken or effective, and (iii) CBOE shall have the sole 
and exclusive right to direct that any such required, necessary or 
appropriate act, as it may determine in its sole discretion, to be 
taken or transaction be undertaken by or on behalf of CBSX LLC without 
regard to the vote, act or failure to vote or act by any other party in 
any capacity.
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    \12\ ``Super Majority Vote of the Owners'' means, subject to the 
provisions of Section 1.8 of the Operating Agreement as to 
Regulatory Requirements, the affirmative vote of both (i) all of the 
Owners of the Series A Voting Shares at the time, and (ii) any two 
(2) of the Initial Owners of Series B Voting Shares who then retain 
ownership of Series B Voting Shares. See Section 2.1(25) of the 
Operating Agreement.
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    Section 5.6 of the Operating Agreement states that except as 
otherwise specifically provided by the Operating Agreement or required 
by the DLLCA or by the SEC pursuant to the Act, no Owner shall have the 
power to act for or on behalf of, or to bind, CBSX LLC.
    Section 5.7 of the Operating Agreement provides that CBSX LLC, and 
to the extent that it relates to CBSX LLC, each Owner, agrees to comply 
with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations 
thereunder; to cooperate with the SEC and CBOE pursuant to their 
regulatory authority and the provisions of the Operating Agreement; and 
to engage in conduct that fosters and does not interfere with CBSX 
LLC's ability 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.
    Additionally, Section 5.7 of the Operating Agreement states that, 
after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, the Board, with 
the approving vote of both CBOE, in exercise of its authority under 
Section 1.8 of the Operating Agreement, and a majority vote of the 
Owners, excluding the vote of the Owner subject to sanction, may 
suspend or terminate an Owner's voting privileges or membership in CBSX 
LLC under the Operating Agreement: (i) In the event such Owner is 
subject to a ``statutory disqualification,'' as defined in Section 
3(a)(39) of the Act; or (ii) in the event such Owner has violated any 
provision of the Operating Agreement implicating any federal or state 
securities law; or (iii) if the Board determines that such action is 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection 
of investors.
    Section 9.13 of the Operating Agreement also provides that a 
Director may be removed for cause by the act of a ``Majority in 
Interest of the Owners'' \13\ at a meeting of the Owners called 
expressly for the purpose of removing the Director. For these purposes, 
``for cause'' shall mean: (1) The Director has (A) committed a willful 
serious act of dishonesty, such as fraud, embezzlement or theft, (B) 
committed or attempted any act against CBSX LLC intending to enrich 
himself or herself at the expense of CBSX LLC, or (C) made an 
unauthorized use or disclosure of ``Confidential Information;'' \14\ 
(2) the Director has been charged with an act constituting a felony; 
(3) the Director has engaged in conduct that has caused serious injury, 
monetary or otherwise, to CBSX LLC; or (4) the Director, in carrying 
out his or her duties, has been guilty of negligence or willful 
misconduct.
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    \13\ ``Majority in Interest of the Owners'' means the 
affirmative vote of more than 50% of the Voting Shares held solely 
by the Voting Owners. See Section 2.1(12) of the Operating 
Agreement.
    \14\ ``Confidential Information'' means (A) information relating 
to the terms of any contract, agreement or other relationship 
between CBSX LLC and a third party, an Owner, an Affiliate of CBSX 
LLC or an Owner, or any other person, (B) information relating to 
the terms of the Operating Agreement or any other agreement between 
or among CBSX LLC, and an Owner, an Affiliate of CBSX LLC or an 
Owner, or any other person (C) financial information about CBSX LLC, 
an Owner, an Affiliate of CBSX LLC or an Owner, (D) any process, 
system or procedure with which or whereby CBSX LLC or any Owner or 
Affiliate of an Owner does business, (E) any trade secrets, 
confidential know-how or designs, formulae, plans, devices, business 
information, software, systems, technology, financial data or 
material (whether or not patented or patentable) of CBSX LLC, or an 
Owner or Affiliate of CBSX LLC or an Owner, and (F) any confidential 
member or user or customer lists of CBSX LLC, or an Owner or 
Affiliate of CBSX LLC or an Owner, in each case to which a party 
hereto becomes privy or learns of by reason of the Operating 
Agreement, discussions or negotiations relating to the Operating 
Agreement or the relationship of the parties contemplated hereby. 
See Section 2.1(6), and Section 15.2 of the Operating Agreement.
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    Under Section 9.14 of the Operating Agreement, the Board of 
Directors may designate one or more committees, which shall be 
comprised of individuals chosen by the Board, and may at the Board's 
discretion include non-Board members. Any such committee, to the extent 
provided in the resolution, shall have the authority and power to 
exercise such functions as may be delegated by the Board, which 
delegation may be revoked by the Board at any time in its discretion 
and any action taken pursuant to such delegation may be modified, 
suspended, overruled or revoked by the Board at any time in its 
discretion.
    Section 9.15(a) of the Operating Agreement contains limitations on 
the authority of the Board of Directors. Specifically, Section 9.15(a) 
of the Operating Agreement provides that notwithstanding any contrary 
provision of this Agreement, and subject always to CBOE's rights to act 
under Section 1.8 of the Operating Agreement and the final provision of 
Section 9.15(a) of the Operating Agreement, it shall require the 
affirmative action of the Board, acting on behalf of CBSX LLC, the 
additional prior approving vote of CBOE, in exercise of its authority 
under Section 1.8 of the Operating Agreement, and a Super Majority of 
the Owners, to cause CBSX LLC to:
     Enter into a material new line of business or exit or 
change a material line of business outside the scope of the business 
contemplated in Section 1.6 of the Operating Agreement;
     Enter into any transaction with an Owner or Affiliate \15\ 
of an Owner outside the ordinary course of business or requiring 
payments in excess of $1 million;
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    \15\ ``Affiliate'' means with respect to any person, any other 
person that directly, or indirectly through one or more 
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common 
control with, such person. As used in this definition, the term 
``control'' means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the 
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and 
policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting 
securities, by contract or otherwise with respect to such person. 
See Section 2.1(1) of the Operating Agreement.
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     Make any material amendment to the organizational 
documents of CBSX LLC;
     Engage in any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or 
recapitalization;
     Enter into licensing or other contractual arrangements, 
including without limitation, those providing for the encumbrance of 
assets or properties,

[[Page 4748]]

outside the ordinary course of business, or requiring payments in 
excess of $1 million;
     Grant Board seats to new Owners or alter Board seat 
allocations for or among existing Owners (which action will require 
compliance with the rule filing process of Section 19 of the Act as 
well);
     Issue additional equity securities of CBSX LLC or 
securities convertible into equity securities of CBSX LLC, other than 
as provided for in Section 3.2(c) and (d) of the Operating Agreement;
     Declare or pay dividends or distributions, or repurchase 
any securities of CBSX LLC (other than Series C Non-Voting Restricted 
Shares), other than those that apply proportionately to all Owners;
     Enter into any merger, consolidation or acquisition or 
sale of material assets or ownership interests;
     Undertake an initial public offering;
     Change senior level management, including entering into, 
terminating or amending employment agreements with management and key 
employees;
     Materially change CBSX LLC's business model;
     Change auditors or accounting policies, practices or 
procedures;
     Change the status or registration of CBSX LLC as a 
facility of CBOE (which action will require compliance with the rule 
filing process of Section 19 of the Act as well);
     Create or designate any new or additional class or series 
of Shares or increase the authorized number of Shares of any class or 
series;
     Approve or authorize the acquisition by any person or 
group of a greater than 20% Percentage Interest in CBSX LLC (which 
action will require compliance with Section 6.14 of the Operating 
Agreement as well); or
     Amend, or be bound by or recognize an amendment of, the 
provisions of Section 9.15(a) of the Operating Agreement in any way.
    Section 9.15(a) of the Operating Agreement further provides that 
without the affirmative vote of CBOE if exercised under Section 1.8 of 
the Operating Agreement, no such action, transaction or aspect of an 
action or transaction shall be authorized, undertaken or effective. 
Additionally, with respect to any matter, including those listed above, 
that implicates Regulatory Requirements, CBOE shall always have the 
sole discretion and authority to cause any action to be taken by and on 
behalf of CBSX LLC, as provided for in Section 1.8 of the Operating 
Agreement, without regard to the foregoing requirements of Section 
9.15(a) of the Operating Agreement.
    CBOE believes that the foregoing limitations on the authority of 
the CBSX LLC Board enable CBOE to have authority over the actions of 
CBSX LLC especially as they relate to regulatory responsibilities.
    Under Section 9.15(c) of the Operating Agreement, each Director 
shall agree to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules 
and regulations thereunder, and to cooperate with the SEC and CBOE 
pursuant to their regulatory authority and the provisions of the 
Operating Agreement. In addition, each Director will take into 
consideration whether any actions taken or proposed to be taken as a 
Director for or on behalf of CBSX LLC, or any failure or refusal to act 
(including a failure to be present to constitute a quorum, or to 
reasonably provide an affirmative vote or consent) would constitute 
interference with CBOE's regulatory functions and responsibilities in 
violation of the Operating Agreement or the Act. Interference shall be 
determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board designees of CBOE, 
which determination will be final and binding.
    Section 9.16 of the Operating Agreement also provides that in 
serving as a Director, each Director agrees to comply with the federal 
securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder; to cooperate 
with the SEC and CBOE pursuant to their regulatory authority and the 
provisions of the Operating Agreement; and to engage in conduct that 
fosters and does not interfere with CBSX LLC's ability 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. Moreover, after appropriate 
notice and opportunity for hearing, the Board, with the approving vote 
of both CBOE in exercise of its authority under Section 1.8 of the 
Operating Agreement, and a majority vote of the Owners, excluding the 
vote of the Owner whose Director designee is subject to sanction, may 
suspend or terminate a Director's service as such to CBSX LLC under the 
Operating Agreement: (i) In the event such Director is subject to a 
``statutory disqualification,'' as defined in Section 3(a)(39) of the 
Act; or (ii) in the event such Director has violated any provision of 
the Operating Agreement implicating any federal or state securities 
law; or (iii) if the Board determines that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors.
    CBOE believes that these provisions, including Sections 5.7, 
9.15(c) and 9.16 of the Operating Agreement, would require each CBSX 
LLC Director to adhere to regulatory responsibilities in that they must 
comply with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations 
promulgated thereunder, and cooperate with the SEC and CBOE pursuant to 
their regulatory authority.

Changes in Ownership of CBSX LLC

    Pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Operating Agreement, an Owner shall 
have the right to assign Shares only by a written assignment, the terms 
of which do not contravene any provision of this Operating Agreement, 
and which has been duly executed by the assignor and assignee, received 
by the Board, and recorded on the books of CBSX LLC. For all purposes 
of the Operating Agreement, the terms ``transfer'' and ``assign,'' and 
all derivatives or variants of those terms, include any transfer, 
disposition, sale, gift, bequest, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, 
exchange or other act whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of 
law or otherwise, whereby an Owner's ownership, interest, or rights in 
any Shares are disposed of, impaired, or in any way affected.
    Section 6.2 of the Operating Agreement states that, subject to the 
requirements of Article VI of the Operating Agreement, an Owner can 
assign any portion of its shares to a ``Permitted Transferee.'' A 
``Permitted Transferee'' means (i) as to any Owner, an Affiliate of 
such Owner, and not the Affiliate of any other Owner, (ii) as to VDM 
Chicago, LLC during the period specified in the Operating Agreement, 
Mill Bridge IV, LLC or CBONP, LLC,\16\ or (iii) as to any Owner that is 
an individual (A) such Owner's estate, heirs or beneficiaries, (B) any 
guardian or conservator appointed for such Owner's estate, or (C) any 
trust for the benefit of such Owner or such Owner's immediate family 
members, or to any limited partnership or limited liability company in 
which the non-controlling partners or members, as the case may be, are 
members of such Owner's immediate family, and so long as the Owner is 
the sole trustee, general partner or manager of such trust, limited

[[Page 4749]]

partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be. A 
Permitted Transferee shall become a Substituted Owner only if and as 
provided in Sections 6.4 and 6.5 of the Operating Agreement.
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    \16\ Prior to SEC approval of this rule filing, VDM Chicago 
Holdings, LLC, Mill Bridge IV, LLC, and CBONP, LLC will execute an 
Indirect Controlling Party Amendment to the Operating Agreement, 
pursuant to Section 15.16 of the Operating Agreement.
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    Section 6.3 of the Operating Agreement further provides that no 
Owner may sell, assign, give, pledge, or otherwise voluntarily 
transfer, or involuntarily transfer by bankruptcy, death or disability, 
shares to a person other than a Permitted Transferee, and no shares 
shall be transferred on the books of CBSX LLC other than a transfer to 
a Permitted Transferee, unless prior to that transfer, an Owner, or, in 
the case of an involuntary transfer, the legal representative or 
successor in interest of an Owner (the ``Transferring Owner''), first 
notifies CBSX LLC and all voting Owners (but not Management Owners) in 
writing of the number of shares that the Transferring Owner proposes to 
transfer pursuant to a bona fide offer received by the Transferring 
Owner, and otherwise complies with restrictions and conditions in 
Article VI pertaining to sale and transfer of shares.
    Under Section 6.4 of the Operating Agreement, a Permitted 
Transferee and a transferee having purchased Shares after the 
Transferring Owner has complied with the right of first refusal set 
forth in Section 6.3(a) and (b) of the Operating Agreement, shall 
become a Substituted Owner,\17\ provided that (i) the Permitted 
Transferee or other transferee executes a written acceptance and 
adoption of all terms and provisions of the Operating Agreement, as the 
same may have been amended, and (ii) all of the applicable requirements 
of a change of ownership notice to the SEC as required by Section 6.13 
of the Operating Agreement, or a proposed rule change subject to the 
requirements of the rule filing process of Section 19 of the Act as 
required by Section 6.14 of the Operating Agreement have been 
accomplished and, if necessary, approved by the SEC.
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    \17\ ``Substituted Owner'' is a person admitted to all of the 
rights, and except as provided in the following sentence, who 
assumes all of the obligations, of an Owner who has made an 
assignment of shares in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Operating 
Agreement. Such obligations shall not include any obligation of the 
assignor to return to CBSX LLC or pay to a creditor, in accordance 
with Section 3.4 of the Operating Agreement, all or any part of a 
distribution that previously was made to the assignor. See Section 
6.5 of the Operating Agreement.
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    Section 6.7 of the Operating Agreement provides that no transfer or 
assignment of any shares may be made if, in the written opinion of 
counsel for CBSX LLC: (1) Such transfer or assignment, together with 
all other transfers and assignments of shares within the preceding 
twelve months, would result in a termination of CBSX LLC for purposes 
of Internal Revenue Code Sec.  708 or any comparable provision then in 
effect; (2) such transfer or assignment would violate the Securities 
Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities or Blue Sky 
laws, or any other applicable provision of law in any respect; or (3) 
such transfer or assignment would cause CBSX LLC to be treated as an 
association taxable as a corporation rather than as a partnership for 
federal, state or local income tax purposes.

Ownership/Voting Limitations

    Section 6.12 of the Operating Agreement contains ownership 
concentration limitations. Specifically, Section 6.12(a) of the 
Operating Agreement provides that no person (other than CBOE), either 
alone or together with its Affiliates, at any time, may be an Owner, 
directly or indirectly, of record or beneficially, of an aggregate 
amount of Shares that would result in a greater than twenty percent 
(20%) Percentage Interest in CBSX LLC (the ``Concentration 
Limitation''). Section 6.12(b) of the Operating Agreement states that 
the Concentration Limitation shall apply to each person (other than 
CBOE) unless and until: (i) Such person shall have delivered to the 
Board a notice in writing, not less than 45 days (or such shorter 
period as the Board shall expressly consent to) prior to the 
acquisition of any Shares that would cause such person (either alone or 
together with its Affiliates) to exceed the Concentration Limitation, 
of such person's intention to acquire such ownership; (ii) the Board 
shall have, in its sole discretion, consented to expressly permit such 
ownership; and (iii) such waiver shall have been filed with, and 
approved by, the SEC under Section 19(b) of the Act and shall have 
become effective thereunder. Section 6.12(c) of the Operating Agreement 
states that in exercising its discretion under Section 6.12(b) of the 
Operating Agreement, the Board shall have determined that (i) such 
beneficial ownership of Shares by such person, either alone or together 
with its Affiliates, will not impair the ability of CBSX LLC and the 
Board to carry out their functions and responsibilities, including but 
not limited to, under the Act, and is otherwise in the best interests 
of CBSX LLC and its Owners; (ii) such beneficial ownership of Shares by 
such person, either alone or together with its Affiliates, will not 
impair the ability of the SEC to enforce the Act; (iii) neither such 
person nor its Affiliates are subject to any applicable ``statutory 
disqualification'' (within the meaning of Section 3(a)(39) of the Act); 
and (iv) neither such person nor its Affiliates is a member of CBOE.
    Section 6.13 of the Operating Agreement provides that beginning 
after SEC approval of this proposed rule change, CBSX LLC shall provide 
the SEC with written notice ten days prior to the closing date of any 
transaction that results in a person's Percentage Interest, alone or 
together with any Affiliate, meeting or crossing the threshold level of 
5% or the successive 5% Percentage Interest levels of 10% and 15%.
    Section 6.14 of the Operating Agreement provides that beginning 
after SEC approval of this proposed rule change, in addition to the 
notice requirement in Section 6.13 of the Operating Agreement, (i) any 
transfer that results in the acquisition and holding by any person, 
alone or together with any Affiliate, of an aggregate Percentage 
Interest level permitted by Section 6.12 of the Operating Agreement 
that meets or crosses the threshold level of 20% or any successive 5% 
Percentage Interest level (i.e., 25%, 30%, etc.); and (ii) any transfer 
of Series A Voting Shares to a Permitted Transferee of CBOE or any of 
its Affiliates, will constitute a proposed rule change that will be 
subject to the requirements of the rule filing process of Section 19 of 
the Act, subject to approval by the SEC, and CBSX LLC shall make all 
necessary filings with the SEC thereunder.
    Under Section 8.10 of the Operating Agreement, in the event that, 
despite the Concentration Limitation prohibitions of Section 6.12 of 
the Operating Agreement, an Owner of Series B Voting Shares that is 
also a CBOE member owns more than 20% of the outstanding Voting Shares, 
alone or together with any Affiliate of such Owner (Shares owned in 
excess of 20% being referred to as ``Excess Shares''), the Owner and 
its designated Directors shall have no voting rights whatsoever, nor 
right to give any proxy in relation to a vote of the Owner, with 
respect to the Excess Shares held by such Owner. However, irrespective 
of whether such Owner or its designated Directors otherwise participate 
in a meeting in person or by proxy, such Owner's Excess Shares shall be 
counted for quorum purposes, and shall be counted as being voted on 
each matter in the same proportions as the Voting Shares held by the 
other Owners are voted (including any abstentions from voting).
    CBOE believes that these provisions will prevent any person from 
exercising undue control over CBSX LLC and will

[[Page 4750]]

protect the ability of CBOE, as well as other investors, to exercise 
its full ownership rights. By specifically imposing a voting limitation 
on any person other than CBOE that owns shares which represent in the 
aggregate more than 20% of the voting power then entitled to be cast, 
CBOE is ensuring that it is in all cases, able to maintain proper 
control over the exercise of its regulatory function in relation to 
CBSX LLC, and is not subject to influence that may be adverse to its 
regulatory responsibilities from any person who may own a substantial 
number of the outstanding shares. This provision and other related 
provisions relating to notice and rule filing requirements with respect 
to any person who acquires certain Percentage Interest levels in CBSX 
LLC will serve to protect the integrity of CBOE's self-regulatory 
responsibilities.

Regulatory Jurisdiction Over CBSX LLC and Its Owners

    As noted earlier, CBOE will regulate CBSX as a facility of the 
Exchange. CBOE has responsibility under the Act for the CBSX facility. 
CBSX LLX, as owner and operator of the CBSX facility, will also be 
subject to the SEC's jurisdiction. In this regard, Section 6.15(a) of 
the Operating Agreement provides that the Owners acknowledge that to 
the extent they are directly related to CBSX LLC's activities, the 
books, records, premises, officers, directors, agents, and employees of 
the Owners shall be deemed to be the books, records, premises, 
officers, directors, agents, and employees of the Regulatory Services 
Provider \18\ and its Affiliates for the purpose of and subject to 
oversight pursuant to the Act. Section 6.15(b) of the Operating 
Agreement additionally provides that the books, records, premises, 
officers, directors, agents, and employees of CBSX LLC shall be deemed 
to be the books, records, premises, officers, directors, agents, and 
employees of CBOE for the purpose of and subject to oversight pursuant 
to the Act.
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    \18\ ``Regulatory Services Provider'' means CBOE for the term of 
the regulatory services to be provided under the Services Agreement. 
See Section 2.1(22) of the Operating Agreement.
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    Under Section 6.15(c) of the Operating Agreement, CBSX LLC, the 
Owners and the respective officers, directors, agents, and employees of 
each irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts, 
the SEC, and CBOE, for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding 
pursuant to U.S. federal securities laws or the rules or regulations 
thereunder, directly arising out of, or directly relating to, CBSX 
LLC's activities, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert by way of 
motion, as a defense or otherwise in any such suit, action or 
proceeding, any claims that they are not personally subject to the 
jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts, SEC, or CBOE, that the suit, 
action or proceeding is an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the 
suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that the subject matter 
thereof may not be enforced in or by such courts or agency, and, to the 
fullest extent permitted by law, waive the defense or application of 
any foreign secrecy or blocking statues or regulations with respect to 
the Owner, its officers, directors, agents and employees, that relate 
to CBSX LLC's activities or their participation therein or in 
connection therewith.
    Section 6.15(d) of the Operating Agreement states that CBSX LLC and 
each Owner shall take such action as is necessary, unless otherwise 
provided for by law, written statement of policy, individual contract 
or otherwise, to ensure that the officers, directors, agents and 
employees of each consent in writing to the applicability of this 
provision with respect to CBSX LLC-related activities. Consent in 
writing to the provisions of this Section 16.15(d) of the Operating 
Agreement extends to the confidentiality provisions in Section 15.2 of 
the Operating Agreement.
    Section 13.2 of the Operating Agreement provides, in part, that 
CBSX LLC's complete records and books of account shall be subject at 
all times to inspection and examination by CBOE and the SEC at no 
additional charge to CBOE and the SEC.
    CBOE believes that these provisions will serve as notice to Owners 
that they will be subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal 
courts, the SEC, and CBOE. It is important that regulatory cooperation 
is assured from all Owners, regardless of the Owner's business 
location, country of domicile or other circumstances which the SEC may 
deem to have the potential to be adverse to the regulatory 
responsibilities and interests of CBOE, the SEC or the U.S. federal 
courts.
    Finally, Section 15.2 of the Operating Agreement generally provides 
that no Owner shall disclose any ``Confidential Information'' to any 
person or use any confidential information to the detriment of CBSX LLC 
or its Owners or for its own benefit or the benefit of others, except 
with the consent of the Board or as required by law or as requested by 
any governmental or regulatory authority (provided that such Owner 
shall notify the Board promptly of any request for information before 
disclosing it, if practicable and permitted by applicable law), and 
other than with respect to CBOE's communications with the SEC with 
respect to the conduct of CBSX LLC's business. Section 15.2 of the 
Operating Agreement further provides that nothing in the Operating 
Agreement shall be interpreted to limit or impede the rights of the SEC 
or CBOE to access and examine any Confidential Information pursuant to 
the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules thereunder, or to limit 
or impede the ability of an Owner or an officer, director, agent or 
employee of an Owner to disclose any Confidential Information to the 
SEC or CBOE.

Proposed New Rule 3.32

    CBOE proposes to adopt a new Rule 3.32--Ownership Concentration and 
Affiliation Limitation, as requested by the SEC staff.\19\ Paragraph 
(a) of Rule 3.32 sets forth the ``Concentration Limitation'' applicable 
to CBSX LLC, and specifically states that for as long as CBSX LLC 
operates as a facility of the Exchange, no member of the Exchange, 
either alone or together with its Affiliates, at any time, may own, 
directly or indirectly, of record or beneficially, an aggregate amount 
of Shares that would result in a greater than twenty percent (20%) 
Percentage Interest in CBSX LLC.\20\ In the event a member 
inadvertently violates the ``Concentration Limitation,'' Paragraph (c) 
of Rule 3.32 provides that the member shall have 180 days to cure the 
inadvertent violation. In the event the violation is not cured during 
such time, the member shall have all trading rights and privileges 
suspended on CBSX, and shall also be subject to any appropriate 
disciplinary action, including action for the failure of such member to 
enter into the CBSX LLC Operating Agreement.
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    \19\ CBOE notes that Rule 3.32 is similar to ISE Rule 312, and 
Article 9 Section 12 of the Boston Stock Exchange Constitution.
    \20\ For purposes of this paragraph (a), and unless the context 
otherwise requires, the terms ``Affiliate,'' ``Share,'' and 
``Percentage Interest'' shall have the same meaning specified in the 
CBSX LLC Operating Agreement.
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    Paragraph (b) of Rule 3.32 provides that without prior SEC 
approval, the Exchange or any entity with which it is affiliated shall 
not directly acquire or maintain an ownership interest in an Exchange 
member. In addition, without prior SEC approval, no Exchange member 
shall be or become affiliated with (i) the Exchange or (ii) any 
affiliate of the Exchange. Paragraph (b) of Rule 3.32 also states that 
nothing therein shall prohibit a member from acquiring or holding an 
equity interest in CBSX

[[Page 4751]]

LLC that is permitted by the ``Concentration Limitation'' or from being 
affiliated with OneChicago, LLC, provided that the Exchange's 
proportionate share of OneChicago, LLC's gross revenues does not exceed 
5% of the Exchange's gross revenues.\21\
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    \21\ See Amendment No. 1. OneChicago, LLC is a joint venture of 
Interactive Brokers Group, LLC, CBOE, the Chicago Mercantile 
Exchange, and the Chicago Board of Trade. It is an electronic 
security futures exchange that trades futures on individual stocks, 
narrow-based indexes and ETFs.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Act and the rules and regulations under the Act applicable to a 
national securities exchange and, in particular, the requirements of 
Section 6(b) of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange believes the 
proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) Act \22\ 
requirements that the rules of an exchange be designed to promote just 
and equitable principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and, in general, to protect investors and the public 
interest.
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    \22\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any 
burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of 
the purposes of the Act.

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

    Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which CBOE consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve such proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be 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 (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml.
); or     Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 

File Number SR-CBOE-2006-110 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F 
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2006-110. 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, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://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 inspection and 
copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. 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-CBOE-2006-110 and should be submitted on or before February 22, 
2007.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
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    \23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-1595 Filed 1-31-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P