[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 61056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27740]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Upon Written Request Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC
20549-2736
Extension:
Form TCR and Form WB-APP-Implementing the Whistleblower
Provisions of Section 21 F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
SEC File No. 270-625, OMB Control No. 3235-0686
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (``PRA''), the Securities and
Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the
collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to
submit an extension for this current collection of information to the
Office of Management and Budget for approval.
In Release No. 34-64545,\1\ the Commission adopted rules
(``Rules'') and forms to implement Section 21F of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 entitled ``Securities Whistleblower Incentives and
Protection,'' which was created by Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (``Dodd-Frank Act'').\2\ The
Rules describe the whistleblower program that the Commission has
established pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act which requires the
Commission to pay an award, subject to certain limitations and
conditions, to whistleblowers who voluntarily provide the Commission
with original information about a violation of the federal securities
laws that leads to the successful enforcement of a covered judicial or
administrative action, or of a related action. The Rules define certain
terms critical to the operation of the whistleblower program, outline
the procedures for applying for awards and the Commission's procedures
for making decisions on claims, and generally explain the scope of the
whistleblower program to the public and to potential whistleblowers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Implementation of the Whistleblower Provisions of Section
21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Release No. 34-64545;
File No. S7-33-10 (adopted May 25, 2011).
\2\ Public Law 111-203, Sec. 922(a), 124 Stat 1841 (2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form TCR is a form submitted by whistleblowers who wish to provide
information to the Commission and its staff regarding potential
violations of the securities laws. Form TCR is required for submission
of information under the Rules. The Commission estimates that it takes
a whistleblower, on average, one and one-half hours to complete Form
TCR. Based on the receipt of an average of approximately 700 annual
Form TCR submissions for the past three fiscal years, the Commission
estimates that the annual reporting burden of Form TCR is 1,050 hours.
Form WB-APP is a form that is submitted by whistleblowers filing a
claim for a whistleblower award. Form WB-APP is required for
application for an award under the Rules. The Commission estimates that
it takes a whistleblower, on average, one hour to complete Form WB-APP.
The completion time depends largely on the complexity of the alleged
violation and the amount of information the whistleblower possesses in
support of his or her application for an award. Based on the receipt of
an average of approximately 110 \3\ annual Form WB-APP submissions for
the past six fiscal years, the Commission estimates that the annual
reporting burden of Form WB-APP is 110 hours.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ This figure does not include Form WB-APP submissions which
were facially deficient, subsequently withdrawn, or submitted by
individuals who have been barred by the Commission from
participation in the whistleblower program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated annual reporting burden = 1,160 hours.
Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether this collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
imposed by 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 30
days of this publication. Please direct your written comments to Pamela
Dyson, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange
Commission, c/o Remi Pavlik-Simon, 100 F St. NE, Washington, DC 20549;
or send an email to: [email protected].
Dated: December 20, 2017.
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-27740 Filed 12-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P