==========================================START OF PAGE 1====== SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 17 CFR Part 200 (Release No. 34-37893) Delegation of Authority to the General Counsel AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission is amending its rules to delegate authority to the General Counsel to refer matters and information concerning possible professional misconduct to state bar associations and other state professional boards or societies. EFFECTIVE DATE: [Insert date of publication in the Federal Register] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara B. Hannigan, Ethics Counsel, at 942-0970. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") today announced amendments to its rules governing delegation of authority to the General Counsel. The amendment to Rule 30-14 -[1]- authorizes the General Counsel to refer matters and information concerning possible professional misconduct to state bar associations and other state professional boards or societies. Notwithstanding this delegation of authority, in instances where a referral of possible professional misconduct presents any ---------FOOTNOTES---------- -[1]- 17 CFR 200.30-14. ==========================================START OF PAGE 2====== unusual or noteworthy issues, the delegation would not be exercised and the matter would be submitted to the Commission. The Commission finds, in accordance with Section 553(b)(3)(A) of the Administrative Procedure Act,-[2]- that this amendment relates solely to agency organization, procedure, or practice, and does not relate to a substantive rule. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for public comment are unnecessary, and publication of the amendment 30 days before its effective date is also unnecessary. List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 200 Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations (Government agencies). Text of Amendment 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 1. The authority citation for Part 200 continues to read in part as follows: Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77s, 78d-1, 78d-2, 78w, 78ll(d), 79t, 77sss, 80a-37, 80b-11, unless otherwise noted. ***** 2. Section 200.30-14 is amended by adding paragraph (k) to read as follows: 200.30-14 Delegation of authority to the General Counsel. ---------FOOTNOTES---------- -[2]- 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A). ==========================================START OF PAGE 3====== ***** (k) To refer matters and information concerning possible professional misconduct to state bar associations and other state professional boards or societies. By the Commission. Jonathan G. Katz Secretary Dated: October 30, 1996