Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Align Existing Investigatory and Disciplinary Processes and Related Rules With the Investigatory and Disciplinary Processes and Related Rules of Nasdaq PHLX LLC

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 September 24, 2018, The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

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

The Exchange proposes to align its existing investigatory and disciplinary processes and related rules with the investigatory and disciplinary processes and related rules of Nasdaq PHLX LLC (“Phlx”) [sic]

The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's website at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com,, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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 Exchange 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

Nasdaq proposes to amend certain of its rules to align its existing investigatory and disciplinary processes and related rules with the investigatory and disciplinary processes and related rules of Phlx. Nasdaq notes that Phlx amended its rules recently to adopt an investigatory and disciplinary process identical in all material respects to the investigatory and disciplinary processes of Nasdaq BX, Inc. (“BX”) and Nasdaq. The amendment also vested the Phlx Regulation Department with the same authority proposed herein. The Exchange therefore proposes the below changes to the 8000 and 9000 Series of the Nasdaq Rules in order to conform its rules to those of Phlx 8000 and 9000 Series rules in all respects.

Definition of Nasdaq Regulation

The Exchange proposes to revise the definition of Nasdaq Current Rule 9120(w) (“Nasdaq Regulation”) to expressly include the Exchange's Enforcement Department. The Exchange's Enforcement Department is specifically charged with pursuing disciplinary action against members, persons associated with a member, and persons subject to the Exchange's jurisdiction, in addition to FINRA's Department of Enforcement.

Similarly, the Exchange proposes to add references to the “Nasdaq Regulation Department” in Nasdaq Current Rule 9120(aa) (definition of the term “Party”). The Exchange also proposes to add a definition for the term “Party” as used in the Nasdaq Rule 9400 series, and to add references to “FINRA” in Nasdaq Current Rule 9120(aa)(3) to clarify that FINRA falls under the definition of “Party” as used in the Rule 9550 series. In addition, the Exchange is adding references to the Nasdaq Regulation Department throughout the Nasdaq Rule 8000 and 9000 series. These amendments will conform the text of Nasdaq 8000 and 9000 rules with those of Phlx.

Role of FINRA

The Exchange proposes to add rule text to certain rules to clarify that FINRA may act on behalf of the Exchange. Today, FINRA is empowered to act on behalf of the Exchange. The revisions to these rules will therefore clarify FINRA's authority as it currently exists today.

Jurisdiction

The Exchange proposes to replace the current rule text related to jurisdiction of Nasdaq to initiate disciplinary actions with text substantially similar to the Phlx's jurisdiction rule text. Nasdaq Current Rules 1012(h) and 1031(f) permit a disciplinary action to be brought within two years after the effective date of resignation, cancellation, or revocation of a member or associated person. The current Nasdaq provisions are more limited than Phlx's jurisdictional language. Phlx Rule 9110(d) does not contain a time limit on when a matter may be brought against a member or associated person following its termination or deregistration, so long as the Exchange serves written notice within one year of receipt by the Exchange of notice of such termination or deregistration that the Exchange is making inquiry into a matter or matters which occurred prior to the termination of such person's status as a member or associated person. The substantive amendment with respect to jurisdiction is with the timeframe for bringing a disciplinary action against a member or associated person. The proposed rule expands the timeframe.

The amendment to expand jurisdiction will not apply retroactively and any complaints not filed within the existing two year time-period will be time-barred. The new jurisdiction rule will only apply to members or associated persons who terminate with the Exchange on or after October 15, 2018.

The Exchange also proposes to eliminate the rule text contained within Nasdaq Current Rules 1012(h) and 1031(f) and reserve those sections.

Interested Staff Definition

The definition of Interested Staff is being conformed to Phlx's definition and includes references to Exchange and FINRA employees as those terms are proposed to be defined. The proposed Nasdaq definition better defines who falls within the category of Interested Staff without substantively amending the definition. At this time, Nasdaq's proposal mirrors the Phlx definition, except insofar as Nasdaq's proposal omits references to FINRA's Department of Market Regulation for the reasons set forth in footnote 5 above. The Exchange also notes that it is removing the words “a district director or” from Nasdaq Current Rules 9120(t)(1)(D), 9120(t)(2)(D), and 9120(t)(3)(D) because there is no such position at the Exchange. The use of those words in the current definition refers to the individual to whom a FINRA employee may report. Those words are therefore being preserved as they relate to FINRA in Proposed New Rules 9120(r)(1)(H), 9120(r)(2)(E), 9120(r)(3)(E), and 9210(r)(4)(F).

Special Panelist

The Exchange is removing the definition of Special Panelist and re-lettering the remainder of the Section. Phlx and BX do not use or otherwise define a Special Panelist. Nasdaq Current Rule 9120(u) defines a Special Panelist. The Exchange notes that related rules, Nasdaq Current Rules 9212(a)(2)(B) and 9231(b)(2), are not mandatory today and permit, but do not require, a Chief Hearing Officer to utilize a Special Panelist. Nasdaq has automated its system throughout the years so that most disciplinary actions today involve issues which pertain to quotations of securities, execution of transactions, reporting of transactions and trading practices, including rules, for example, that prohibit manipulation and insider trading, among other Rules as described in Nasdaq Current Rules 9120(u)(1)-(4). Further, FINRA has skilled panelists who, like the Special Panelists, are trained to handle matters involving the subject matters described in the Special Panelist definition. The Exchange believes that the notion of a Special Panelist is not necessary because today FINRA panelists are equipped to handle matters related to the subject matter of Nasdaq Current Rules 9120(u)(1)-(4) with respect to any type of hearing. The concept of a Special Panelist is not extraordinary, rather it is a presumed skill set for today's FINRA panelists. The Exchange therefore proposes to remove all references to the term “Special Panelist” from its rules because the reality of current panelist selection and disciplinary processes obviate the need for this rule.

Hearing Panelists

The Exchange is removing a category of individuals that may serve on a Hearing Panel and re-lettering the remainder of the section. Phlx and BX rules do not include that category of individuals from among those whom the Chief Hearing Officer may select as a Panelist. The Exchange originally proposed Current Rule 9231(b)(1)(D) as a transitional rule when the Exchange sought to become registered as a national securities exchange. The Rule allowed “persons who served on the NASD National Adjudicatory Council, or a disciplinary subcommittee thereof, prior to the date that Nasdaq commenced operating as a national securities exchange to sit on Hearing Panels.” This enabled the Exchange to pull from a larger pool of candidates. The Exchange has now been a national securities exchange for nearly 12 years, and believes that there is a sufficient pool of panelists from which the Chief Hearing Officer may now pull. This is evidenced by the Hearing Panels both Phlx and BX are able to assemble. Given the passage of time, the need for Nasdaq Current Rule 9231(b)(1)(D) no longer exists.

The Exchange is also clarifying Current Rule 9231(b)(1)(E) (Proposed New Rule 9231(b)(1)(D)) to more clearly state who may serve on a Hearing Panel. Currently, BX and Phlx Rules 9231(b)(1)(D) indicate that the Chief Hearing Office may select as a Panelist a person who “is a FINRA Panelist approved by the Nasdaq Board at least annually, including a person who previously served on the Market Regulation Committee not earlier than four years before the date the complaint was served upon the Respondent who was the first served Respondent in the disciplinary proceeding for which the Hearing Panel or the Extended Hearing Panel is being appointed, or from other sources the Board deems appropriate given the responsibilities of Panelists.” The Exchange is adding the same text after “is a FINRA Panelist approved by the Nasdaq Board at least annually” in Proposed New Rule 9231(b)(1)(D) to make it clear that a person who served on the Market Regulation Committee is among those permitted to serve as a Panelist, provided that person meets the requirements of the rule.

Other Non-Substantive and Technical Amendments

The Exchange proposes to add a sentence within Nasdaq Current Rule 9270(e)(2), similar to Phlx, to add more specificity to this rule and make clear that the Office of Disciplinary Affairs may accept an offer of settlement and order of acceptance or refer them to the Exchange Review Council. The Exchange notes that today the Office of Disciplinary Affairs may accept an offer of settlement and order of acceptance or refer them to the Exchange Review Council, so this language is intended to clarify current practice under the rule.

The Exchange also proposes to make certain technical amendments throughout these rules to: (i) Add “FINRA” before “Regulatory Contract”; (ii) amend “NASD” to the updated name “FINRA”; (iii) replace “Association” with “FINRA”; (iv) update certain incorrect cross-references to both FINRA and Nasdaq rule citations ; (v) add, remove, or modify rule text or punctuation in certain rules to conform the rule text of Nasdaq to Phlx ; (vi) include the phrase “or person” in various places throughout the rule to make it clear that inclusion of the person associated with a member is applicable ; (vii) relocate and/or renumber certain rules for ease of reference given other amendments described herein ; and (vii) correct a typographical error.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public interest. In addition, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes further the objectives of Section 6(b)(7) of the Act, in particular, in that these changes provide for fair procedures for the disciplining of members and persons associated with members, the denial of membership to any person seeking membership therein, the barring of any person from becoming associated with a member thereof, and the prohibition or limitation by the Exchange of any person with respect to access to services offered by the Exchange or a member thereof.

In addition, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes are consistent with Section 6(b)(6) of the Act, which requires the rules of an exchange provide that its members be appropriately disciplined for violations of the Act as well as the rules and regulations thereunder, or the rules of the Exchange, by expulsion, suspension, limitation of activities, functions, and operations, fine, censure, being suspended or barred from being associated with a member, or any other fitting sanction.

The Exchange believes that the proposed changes are consistent with these requirements because the changes further harmonize Nasdaq's investigative and adjudicatory processes with similar processes used by Phlx. The new processes are well-established as fair and designed to protect investors and the public interest. Because the Exchange is conforming the Nasdaq rule text to the Phlx rule text to eliminate any differences (except for those noted herein), the Exchange believes that the proposed changes should facilitate prompt, appropriate, and effective discipline of members and their associated persons consistent with the Act. The Exchange believes that adding references to the Nasdaq Regulation Department within the 8000 and 9000 Nasdaq Series rules as described in this proposal clarifies the involvement that Nasdaq Regulation plays in the investigation and enforcement of Nasdaq's disciplinary rules. In addition, the Exchange believes that adding references to FINRA within the 8000 and 9000 Nasdaq Series rules as described in this proposal brings greater transparency to its rules and clarifies the process as it exists today. Today, FINRA is empowered to act on behalf of the Exchange.

The Exchange believes that harmonizing the rule text of the investigative and adjudicatory processes with those of Phlx will reduce the burden on members and their associated persons as they only will need to be familiar with a single rule set going forward. Because the substance of the rules would remain unchanged, the Exchange believes that the proposed change would continue to provide fair procedures for the suspending and disciplining of members and associated persons, the denial of membership to any person seeking membership therein, the barring of any person from becoming associated with a member thereof, and the prohibition or limitation by the Exchange of any person with respect to access to services offered by the Exchange or a member thereof.

The Exchange's proposal to replace the current rule text related to jurisdiction of Nasdaq to initiate disciplinary actions with text substantially similar to the Phlx's jurisdiction rule text will permit the Exchange to initiate a disciplinary action beyond two years after the effective date of the member's or associated person's termination with the Exchange. This provision would not apply retroactively, but would permit the Exchange to bring actions after the effective date of termination, so long as the Exchange serves written notice within one year of receipt by the Exchange of notice of such termination that the Exchange is making inquiry into a matter or matters which occurred prior to the termination of status as a member or associated person. The Exchange believes that this provision will provide the Exchange with the same latitude as Phlx to bring actions against its members and associated persons for violations of its rule. The Exchange believes that it is consistent with the Act to provide the Exchange with the ability to initiate violations for members and their associated persons for violations which took place while these members and associated persons were members of the Exchange. The rule change will better protect investors and the public interest by allowing actions to proceed that may otherwise have been time barred under the old rule.

The Exchange's proposal to amend the definition of Interested Staff will conform Nasdaq's definition to Phlx's definition, except insofar as Nasdaq's proposal omits references to FINRA's Department of Market Regulation for the reasons set forth in footnote 5 above. The Exchange believes that it is consistent with the Act because the definition better defines who falls within the category of Interested Staff without substantively amending the definition.

Removing the definition of Special Panelist is consistent with the Act because today Nasdaq Current Rules 9212(a)(2)(B) and 9231(b)(2) do not require a Chief Hearing Officer to utilize a Special Panelist. Further, FINRA has skilled panelists who, like the Special Panelists, are trained to handle matters involving the subject matters described in the Special Panelist definition, thus the reality of the panel selection and disciplinary processes today obviate the need for this rule.

Removing from the pool of panelists persons that served on the FINRA National Adjudicatory Council or on a disciplinary subcommittee of the FINRA National Adjudicatory Council prior to the date that Nasdaq commenced operating as a national securities exchange is consistent with the act because there currently exists a sufficient number of persons from whom a Chief Hearing Officer may select as a Panelist. This change, in addition to adding clarifying text to Current Rule 9231(b)(1)(E) (Proposed New Rule 9231(b)(1)(D)) to more clearly state who may serve on a Hearing Panel, thereby aligning the text with the text of the parallel BX and Phlx Rules, is also consistent with the Act because it creates a uniform pool from which Panelists may be selected across the Nasdaq, BX, and Phlx, thus removing confusion that may result from having different pools of Panelists depending on the exchange.

Finally, making technical amendments in Nasdaq Current Rules 8001, 8110, 8210, IM-8310-3, 9001, 9120, 9211, 9212, 9221, 9231, 9268, 9269, 9270, 9311, 9312, 9331, 9351, 9524, 9552, 9553, 9554, 9555, 9556, 9558, 9559, 9610, and 9630 removes impediments to and perfects the mechanism of a free and open market by removing confusion that may result from having incorrect or incomplete material in the Exchange's rulebook.

The Exchange believes that its proposal furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(7) of the Act, in that it is designed to provide a fair procedure for the disciplining of members and persons associated with members, the denial of membership to any person seeking membership therein, the barring of any person from becoming associated with a member thereof, and the prohibition or limitation by the exchange of any person with respect to access to services offered by the exchange or a member thereof. Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed investigatory and disciplinary process is consistent with Section 6(b)(7) of the Act because it is based on the existing processes used by Phlx.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is intended to more clearly align the text of Phlx's and the Exchange's rules. Specifically and as described in detail above, the Exchange believes that this change will bring efficiency and consistency to the investigative and adjudicatory processes, thereby reducing the burden on members and their associated persons who are also members of Phlx.

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

No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so the Exchange may immediately amend its disciplinary rules to conform to Phlx's disciplinary process. The Exchange states that the proposed amendment to expand its current jurisdiction will not apply retroactively and any complaints not filed within the existing two-year time period will be time-barred. The Exchange further states that its new jurisdiction rule will only apply to applicable members or associated persons who terminate their membership or association on October 15, 2018 or thereafter. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest as it will allow Nasdaq to conform its disciplinary rules to those of Phlx. In addition, the proposal does not present any novel issues. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and designates the proposal as operative upon filing.

At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 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. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-NASDAQ-2018-066 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2018-066. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's internet website ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ). 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 website viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2018-066 and should be submitted on or before October 31, 2018.