[Federal Register: October 26, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 207)] [Notices] [Page 62631] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr26oc06-74] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549. Extension: Rule 15c2-12; SEC File No. 270-330; OMB Control No. 3235-0372. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval. Rule 15c2-12 Disclosure Requirements for Municipal Securities Rule 15c2-12 (17 CFR 240.15c2-12) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78 et. seq.) requires underwriters of municipal securities: (1) To obtain and review a copy of an official statement deemed final by an issuer of the securities, except for the omission of specified information; (2) in non-competitively bid offerings, to make available, upon request, the most recent preliminary official statement, if any; (3) to contract with the issuer of the securities, or its agent, to receive, within specified time periods, sufficient copies of the issuer's final official statement to comply both with this rule and any rules of the MSRB; (4) to provide, for a specified period of time, copies of the final official statement to any potential customer upon request; (5) before purchasing or selling municipal securities in connection with an offering, to reasonably determine that the issuer or other specified person has undertaken, in a written agreement or contract, for the benefit of holders of such municipal securities, to provide certain information about the issue or issuer on a continuing basis to a nationally recognized municipal securities information repository; and (6) to review the information the issuer of the municipal security has undertaken to provide prior to recommending a transaction in the municipal security. These disclosure and recordkeeping requirements will ensure that investors have adequate access to official disclosure documents that contain details about the value and risks of particular municipal securities at the time of issuance while the existence of compulsory repositories will ensure that investors have continued access to terms and provisions relating to certain static features of those municipal securities. The provisions of Rule 15c2-12 regarding an issuer's continuing disclosure requirements assist investors by ensuring that information about an issue or issuer remains available after the issuance. Municipal offerings of less than $1 million are exempt from the rule, as are offerings of municipal securities issued in large denominations that are sold to no more than 35 sophisticated investors, have short-term maturities, or have short-term tender or put features. It is estimated that approximately 12,000 brokers, dealers, municipal securities dealers, issuers of municipal securities, and nationally recognized municipal securities information repositories will spend a total of 123,850 hours per year complying with Rule 15c2-12. Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 days of this publication. The recordkeeping requirement is mandatory to ensure that investors have access to information about the issuer and particular issues of municipal securities. This rule does not involve the collection of confidential information. Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Please direct your written comments to (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or by sending an e-mail to: David Rostker@omb.oep.gov; and (ii) R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, Virginia 22312 or send an e-mail to PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 60 days of this notice. October 16, 2006. Nancy M. Morris, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-17929 Filed 10-25-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011-01-P