Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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Federal RegisterJan 6, 2004
69 Fed. Reg. 705 (Jan. 6, 2004)

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filing and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549.

Extension:

Rule 35d-1; SEC File No. 270-491; OMB Control No. 3235-0548.

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)(“Act”) the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) a request for extension of the previously approved collection of information discussed below.

The title for the collection of information is “Rule 35d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Investment Company Names.”

Rule 35d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 [17 CFR 270.35d-1] generally requires that investment companies with certain names invest at least 80% of their assets according to what their names suggests. The rule provides that an affected investment company must either adopt this 80% requirement as a fundamental policy or adopt a policy to provide notice to shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change in its 80% investment policy. This preparation and delivery of the notice to existing shareholders is a collection of information within the meaning of the Act.

The Commission estimates that there are 7,200 open-end and closed-end management investment companies and series that have descriptive names that are governed by the rule. The Commission estimates that of these 7,200 investment companies, approximately 24 provide prior notice to their shareholders of a change in their investment policies per year. The Commission estimates that the annual burden associated with the notice requirement of the rule is 20 hours per affected investment company or series. The total burden hours for Rule 35d-1 is 480 per year in the aggregate (24 responses × 20 hours per response). Estimates of average burden hours are made solely for the purposes of the Act, and are not derived from a comprehensive or even a representative survey or study of the costs of Commission rules and forms.

The collection of information under Rule 35d-1 is mandatory. The information provided under Rule 35d-1 is not kept confidential. The Commission 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 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 will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 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 Kenneth A. Fogash, Acting Associate Executive Director/CIO, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.

Dated: December 23, 2003.

Jill M. Peterson,

Assistant Secretary.

[FR Doc. 04-152 Filed 1-5-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8010-01-P