68 FR 188 pgs. 56030-56031 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the Pacific Exchange, Inc. Relating to the Composition of Its Audit Committee
Type: NOTICEVolume: 68Number: 188Pages: 56030 - 56031
Docket number: [Release No. 34-48500; File No. SR-PCX-2003-36]
FR document: [FR Doc. 03-24503 Filed 9-26-03; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-48500; File No. SR-PCX-2003-36]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the Pacific Exchange, Inc. Relating to the Composition of Its Audit Committee
September 17, 2003.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act")1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2notice is hereby given that on July 14, 2003, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. ("PCX" or "Exchange") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission" or "SEC") the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by PCX. On August 21, 2003, PCX filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.3The Commission is publishing this notice, as amended, to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
3 See Letter from Steven B. Matlin, Senior Counsel, Regulatory Policy, PCX, to Leah Mesfin, Attorney, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, dated August 21, 2003 ("Amendment No. 1"). In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange completely replaced the rule language submitted with the original filing.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is proposing to amend its rule regarding its own audit committee composition. This change is aimed at helping improve the Exchange's corporate governance. Proposed new language is in italics.
RULES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Rule 11
Committees of the Exchange
11.8(a)-(b)-No change.
Audit Committee
11.8(c). The Audit Committee shall be comprised of at least three Governors. The Committee shall be made up entirely of Public Governors, and at least one member of the Committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise, as the Board of Governors interprets such qualification in its business judgment. The Committee shall have the responsibility to conduct an annual review with the independent auditors, to determine the scope of their examination and the cost thereof. The Committee shall periodically review with the independent auditors and the internal auditor, the Exchange's internal controls and the adequacy of the internal audit program. The Committee shall review the annual reports submitted both internally and externally, and take such action with respect thereto as it may deem appropriate. The Committee shall also recommend annually to the Board, independent public accountants as auditors of the Exchange and its subsidiaries.
11.8(d)-11.8(g)-No change.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, PCX 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. PCX 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 Exchange represents that, in light of the recent changes mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and at the request of Commission's Chairman William H. Donaldson,4the Exchange recently reviewed its own corporate governance structure. In doing so, the Exchange's Board of Governors felt that the Exchange's audit committee should follow many of the same requirements that it will asks its listed companies to adhere to.
Footnotes:
4 See Letter from William H. Donaldson, Chairman, Commission, to Philip D. DeFeo, Chairman, PCX, dated March 26, 2003.
Therefore, the Exchange is proposing to amend its Rule 11.8(c). The proposed rule will require that the PCX audit committee be comprised of at least three Governors. The committee shall be made up entirely of public Governors, and at least one member of the committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise. The committee shall have the responsibility to conduct an annual review with the independent auditors, to determine the scope of their examination and the cost thereof. The committee shall periodically review with the independent auditors and the internal auditor, the Exchange's internal controls and the adequacy of the internal audit program. The committee shall review the annual reports submitted both internally and externally and take such action with respect thereto as it may deem appropriate. The committee shall also recommend annually to the Board independent public accountants as auditors of the Exchange and its subsidiaries.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposal furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5)5of the Act in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade and to protect investors and the public interest.
Footnotes:
5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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 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
Written comments on the proposed rule change were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
A. By order approve such proposed rule change, or
B. Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal, 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, NW., Washington, DC 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 in Washington, DC. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the PCX. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-PCX-2003-36 and should be submitted by October 20, 2003.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.6
Footnotes:
6 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-24503 Filed 9-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P