[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 111 (Tuesday, June 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 33223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13464]
[[Page 33223]]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC
20549-0213.
Extension:
Rule 31a-1;
SEC File No. 270-173, OMB Control No. 3235-0178.
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the Securities and Exchange
Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collections
of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit these
existing collections of information to the Office of Management and
Budget (``OMB'') for extension.
Rule 31a-1 (17 CFR 270.31a-1) under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the ``Act'') (15 U.S.C. 80a) is entitled ``Records to be
maintained by registered investment companies, certain majority-owned
subsidiaries thereof, and other persons having transactions with
registered investment companies.'' Rule 31a-1 requires registered
investment companies (``funds''), and every underwriter, broker,
dealer, or investment adviser that is a majority-owned subsidiary of a
fund, to maintain and keep current accounts, books, and other documents
which constitute the record forming the basis for financial statements
required to be filed pursuant to section 31 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-
30) and of the auditor's certificates relating thereto. The rule lists
specific records to be maintained by funds. The rule also requires
certain underwriters, brokers, dealers, depositors, and investment
advisers to maintain the records that they are required to maintain
under federal securities laws.
There are approximately 4132 investment companies registered with
the Commission, all of which are required to comply with rule 31a-1.
For purposes of determining the burden imposed by rule 31a-1, the
Commission staff estimates that each fund is divided into approximately
four series, on average, and that each series is required to comply
with the recordkeeping requirements of rule 31a-1. Based on
conversations with fund representatives, it is estimated that rule 31a-
1 imposes an average burden of approximately 1750 hours annually per
series for a total of 7000 annual hours per fund. The estimated total
annual burden for all 4132 funds subject to the rule therefore is
approximately 28,924,000 hours. Based on conversations with fund
representatives, however, the Commission staff estimates that even
absent the requirements of rule 31a-1, 90 percent of the records
created pursuant to the rule are the type that generally would be
created as a matter of normal business practice and to prepare
financial statements. Thus, the Commission staff estimates that the
total annual burden associated with rule 31a-1 is 2,892,400 hours.
The estimate of average burden hours is made solely for the
purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act, and is not derived from a
comprehensive or even a representative survey or study. 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 OMB
control number.
Written comments are requested on: (a) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the Commission, including whether the information has practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's estimate of the burden(s)
of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information 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.
Please direct your written comments to Thomas Bayer, Chief
Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Remi
Pavlik-Simon, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549; or send an email
to: [email protected].
Dated: June 4, 2014.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-13464 Filed 6-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P