==========================================START OF PAGE 1====== SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 17 CFR Parts 230, 240, 270, and 275 Release Nos. 33-7404, 34-38401, IC-22566, and IA-1619; File No. S7-4-97 RIN 3235-AG62; 3235-AH01 Definitions of "Small Business" or "Small Organization" Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Securities Act of 1933. AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission ACTION: Proposed rule amendments; extension of the comment period. SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") is extending from February 27 to April 30, 1997, the comment period for proposed amendments to certain definitions of "small business" and "small organization" that are used for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act in connection with Commission rulemaking under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Securities Act of 1933 regarding regulatory requirements applicable to investment companies, investment advisers, exchanges, securities information processors, transfer agents and issuers, and broker-dealers. The proposed amendments were published in the Federal Register on January 28, 1997 (62 FR 4106). DATES: Comments should be received on or before April 30, 1997. ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Mail Stop 6-9, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington ==========================================START OF PAGE 2====== D.C. 20549. Comments also may be submitted electronically at the following E-mail address: rule-comments@sec.gov. All comment letters should refer to File Number S7-4-97. This file number should be included on the subject line if E-mail is used. Comment letters will be available for public inspection and copying in the Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549. Electronically submitted comment letters will be posted on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General: Penelope W. Saltzman, Special Counsel, at (202-942-0915), or Anne H. Sullivan, Senior Counsel, at (202-942-0954), Office of the General Counsel, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Mail Stop 6-6, Washington, D.C. 20549. Offices with Particular Responsibility: Thomas M.J. Kerwin, Senior Counsel, Division of Investment Management, (definitions applicable to investment companies and investment advisers) (202-942-0690). Glenn J. Jessee, Special Counsel, Office of the Chief Counsel, Division of Market Regulation (definitions applicable to exchanges, transfer agents and issuers, securities information processors, and broker-dealers) (202-942-0073). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 22, 1997, the Commission proposed amendments to the definitions of "small business" and "small organization" set ==========================================START OF PAGE 3====== forth in Rule 0-10 [17 CFR 270.0-10] under the Investment Company Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C.  80a-1], Rule 0-7 [17 CFR 275.0-7] under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C.  80b-1], Rule 0- 10 [17 CFR 240.0-10] under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C.  78a], and Rule 157 [17 CFR 230.157] under the Securities Act of 1933 [15 U.S.C.  77a]. These definitions are used specifically for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Pub. L. No. 96-354, 94 Stat. 1164 (1980), as amended, Pub. L. No. 104-121, Title II, Subtitle D, 110 Stat. 864 (1996). The Commission originally requested that comments on the proposed rulemaking be received by February 27, 1997. The Commission believes that an extension is appropriate in order to give the public additional time to comment on the proposed amendments. Therefore, the comment period for responding to Investment Company Act Release No. 22478, Investment Advisers Act Release No. 1609, Securities Act Release No. 7383, and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 38190, is extended from February 27, 1997 to April 30, 1997. By the Commission. Jonathan G. Katz Secretary March 14, 1997