Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the International Securities Exchange LLC, Relating to Fee Changes

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on November 15, 2000, the International Securities Exchange LLC (the “Exchange” or the “ISE”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which items have been prepared by the Exchange. On December 7, 2000, ISE submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange is proposing changes to its fees regarding: (i) Customer transactions; (ii) multiple “Click” order entry terminals; (iii) “enhanced cabinets”; and (iv) continuing registration and transfer fees for associated persons. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Office of the Secretary, the Exchange, and at the Commission.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The ISE has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The purpose of the proposed rule change is to effect the following changes to the ISE's fees:

Customer Transaction Fees: The ISE currently waives customer transaction fees. This waiver will expire on November 26, 2000. The Exchange proposes extending this waiver for an additional six months.

Click Terminals: The Exchange imposes fees on “Click” order entry devices (used by Electronic Access Members) of: (i) $500 per terminal for up to five terminals and $250 for additional terminals; and (ii) $250 per application program interface (“API”) associated with a terminal for up to five APIs and $100 for additional APIs. To encourage members to send order flow to the Exchange, the ISE proposes to eliminate Click and API fees for a member's third and subsequent terminal if the member has an average daily volume (“ADV”) on the Exchange of 500 customer or firm proprietary contracts per “free” terminal.

Enhanced Cabinets: Certain market makers have requested that the Exchange provide them with an “enhanced cabinet” on their premises, containing three, rather than the standard two, gateways to the Exchange. The Exchange proposes an increase of $250 to the standard fee to reflect the incremental cost of the third gateway.

Associated Persons: The ISE is the only options exchange that does not at least partially offset its regulatory costs by levying an annual “central registration depository” fee for members' associated persons and for processing the transfer of such persons. The proposed rule change would impose the following fees: $30 annual fee and $25 transfer fee.

2. Statutory Basis

The basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the requirement under Section 6(b)(4) that the rules of an exchange provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its members and other persons using its facilities.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received from Members, Participants or Others

The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested parties.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder, because the proposed rule change establishes or changes a due, fee or other charge. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-0609. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the ISE. All submissions should refer to the File No. SR-ISE-00-12 and should be submitted by January 8, 2001.