80_FR_72980 80 FR 72756 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Proposed New MSRB Rule A-18, on Mandatory Participation in Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Testing

80 FR 72756 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Proposed New MSRB Rule A-18, on Mandatory Participation in Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Testing

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 224 (November 20, 2015)

Page Range72756-72758
FR Document2015-29599

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 224 (Friday, November 20, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 224 (Friday, November 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72756-72758]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29599]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76443; File No. SR-MSRB-2015-12]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Municipal Securities Rulemaking 
Board; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule 
Change To Adopt Proposed New MSRB Rule A-18, on Mandatory Participation 
in Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Testing

November 16, 2015.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act'' or ``Exchange Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ 
notice is hereby given that on November 2, 2015, the Municipal 
Securities Rulemaking Board (the ``MSRB'' or ``Board'') 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 MSRB. The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The MSRB filed with the Commission a proposed rule change to adopt 
proposed new MSRB Rule A-18 to require certain brokers, dealers, 
municipal securities dealers and municipal advisors registered with the 
MSRB (``MSRB Registrants'') to participate in business continuity and 
disaster recovery plans (``BC/DR Plans'') testing in connection with 
Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity (``Regulation SCI'') \3\ 
(the ``proposed rule change''). The MSRB has designated the proposed 
rule change as ``non-controversial'' pursuant to section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \4\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \5\ 
thereunder, which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. 
A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \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),\7\ the Commission may 
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. The MSRB is requesting 
the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposed 
rule change to require participation in BC/DR Plans testing as mandated 
by Regulation SCI may become operative immediately upon filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73639 (November 19, 
2014), 79 FR 72251 (December 5, 2014) (``SCI Adopting Release'').
    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \5\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \6\ Id.
    \7\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the MSRB's Web 
site at www.msrb.org/Rules-and-Interpretations/SEC-Filings/2015-Filings.aspx, at the MSRB's principal office, 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 MSRB 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 MSRB 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
    As adopted by the Commission, Regulation SCI applies to certain 
self-regulatory organizations (including the MSRB), alternative trading 
systems, plan processors, and exempt clearing agencies (collectively, 
``SCI entities''), and mandates these SCI entities to comply with 
requirements with respect to the automated systems central to the 
performance of their regulated activities. Among the requirements of 
Regulation SCI is Rule 1001(a)(2)(v), which requires the MSRB and other 
SCI entities to maintain ``[b]usiness continuity and disaster recovery 
plans that include maintaining backup and recovery capabilities 
sufficiently resilient and geographically diverse and that are 
reasonably designed to achieve next business day resumption of trading 
and two-hour resumption of critical SCI systems following a wide-scale 
disruption.'' \8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 17 CFR 242.1001(a)(2)(v).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The MSRB has put extensive time and resources toward planning for 
system failures and already maintains robust procedures for business 
continuity and disaster recovery. As set forth below, in connection 
with Regulation SCI, the MSRB is proposing to require certain MSRB 
Registrants to participate in the testing of the operation of the 
MSRB's BC/DR Plans. With respect to an SCI entity's BC/DR Plans, 
including its backup systems, paragraph (a) of Rule 1004 of Regulation 
SCI requires each SCI entity to: ``[e]stablish standards for the 
designation of those members or participants that the SCI entity 
reasonably determines are, taken as a whole, the minimum necessary for 
the maintenance of fair and orderly markets in the event of the 
activation of such plans.'' \9\ Paragraph (b) of Rule 1004 further 
requires each SCI entity to ``[d]esignate members or participants 
pursuant to the standards established in paragraph (a) of [Rule 1004] 
and require participation by such designated members or participants in 
scheduled functional and performance testing of the operation of such 
plans, in the manner and frequency specified by the SCI entity, 
provided that such frequency shall not be less than once every 12 
months.'' \10\ In order to comply with Rule 1004 of Regulation SCI, the 
MSRB proposes to adopt new Rule A-18 to provide for the mandatory 
participation

[[Page 72757]]

of certain MSRB Registrants (``Participants'') in the testing of the 
MSRB's BC/DR Plans, as described below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 17 CFR 242.1004(a).
    \10\ 17 CFR 242.1004(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section (a) of new Rule A-18 includes language from paragraph (a) 
of Rule 1004 of Regulation SCI to summarize the MSRB's obligation 
pursuant to such rule. Specifically, the MSRB proposes to state that 
``[p]ursuant to Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity under the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and with respect to the MSRB's business 
continuity and disaster recovery plans, including its backup systems, 
the MSRB is required to establish standards for the designation of MSRB 
Registrants that the MSRB reasonably determines are, taken as a whole, 
the minimum necessary for the maintenance of fair and orderly markets 
in the event of the activation of such plans.'' The MSRB further 
proposes that section (a) indicate that the ``MSRB has established 
standards and will designate Participants according to those standards 
as set forth'' in new Rule A-18. Any changes to the standards by which 
MSRB Registrants might be designated Participants would be applied 
prospectively and would be publicly announced with reasonable advance 
notice. The MSRB would first announce the methodology for designating 
Participants on or before November 3, 2015.
    Second, in section (b) of new Rule A-18, the MSRB proposes to 
specify that it ``shall designate Participants as those MSRB 
Registrants whose submissions of data to the MSRB, taken as a whole, 
account for a meaningful percentage of the MSRB's data submission 
volume required to be provided by MSRB Registrants, measured during the 
Measurement Period'' and that ``[t]he percentage of data submission 
volume and the minimum number of Participants that the MSRB considers 
to be meaningful and the Measurement Period will be determined by the 
MSRB, published to MSRB Registrants in advance of the Measurement 
Period, and applied during the Measurement Period (not 
retroactively).'' The MSRB further proposes that section (b) indicate 
that the MSRB will, at least forty-five (45) calendar days prior to a 
functional and performance testing of the operation of the MSRB's BC/DR 
Plans, individually notify all Participants that are required to 
participate in such testing. The MSRB believes the proposed notice 
requirement is necessary to provide sufficient advance notice to those 
MSRB Registrants that are designated as Participants in mandatory 
business continuity and disaster recovery testing under new Rule A-18.
    In adopting the requirements of new Rule A-18(b), the MSRB intends 
to subject certain MSRB Registrants to mandatory testing as the minimum 
necessary to maintain fair and orderly markets in the event of the 
activation of such BC/DR plans. The MSRB believes that designating 
Participants to participate in mandatory testing because they are among 
those entities whose submissions of data to the MSRB, taken as a whole, 
account for a meaningful percentage of the MSRB's data submission 
volume required to be provided by MSRB Registrants is a measured 
approach to a threshold criteria to ensure the maintenance of a fair 
and orderly market.
    Third, in section (c) of new Rule A-18, the MSRB proposes that 
Participants will be required to participate in functional and 
performance testing of the operation of the MSRB's BC/DR Plans, in the 
manner and frequency specified by the MSRB. In addition, new Rule A-18 
provides that such testing shall occur at least once every 12 months.
    Lastly, in section (d) of new Rule A-18, the MSRB proposes to set 
forth definitions for purposes of new Rule A-18 of ``MSRB Registrants'' 
and ``Participants.'' For purposes of new Rule A-18, ``MSRB 
Registrants'' means ``brokers, dealers, municipal securities dealers or 
municipal advisors registered with the MSRB'' and ``Participants'' 
means ``those MSRB Registrants that the MSRB has determined, pursuant 
to section (b) of [Rule A-18], are among those MSRB Registrants whose 
submissions of data to the MSRB, taken as a whole, account for a 
meaningful percentage of the MSRB's data submission volume required to 
be provided by MSRB Registrants, measured during the Measurement 
Period, which percentage of data submissions volume represents the 
minimum necessary for the maintenance of fair and orderly markets in 
the event of the activation of the MSRB's BC/DR Plans.'' Further, for 
purposes of new Rule A-18, ``Measurement Period'' means ``the time 
period, whether monthly or quarterly, during which time MSRB measures 
data submission required to be provided by MSRB Registrants for 
purposes of designating Participants in accordance with section (b).''
2. Statutory Basis
    The MSRB believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the provisions of section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the Act,\11\ which requires, 
in pertinent part, that the MSRB's rules shall be designed
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-4(b)(2)(C).

to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, 
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and 
facilitating transactions in municipal securities and municipal 
financial products, to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market in municipal securities and 
municipal financial products, and, in general, to protect investors, 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
municipal entities, obligated persons, and the public interest.

The proposed rule change will provide that MSRB Registrants necessary 
to ensure the maintenance of a fair and orderly market are properly 
designated consistent with Rule 1004 of Regulation SCI.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 17 CFR 242.1004.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, the proposed rule change will adopt standards with 
respect to the designation of MSRB Registrants that are required to 
participate in the testing of the MSRB's BC/DR Plans, as well as 
appropriate notification regarding such designation. As set forth in 
the SCI Adopting Release,

    SROs have the authority, and legal responsibility, under Section 
6 of the Exchange Act, to adopt and enforce rules (including rules 
to comply with Regulation SCI's requirements relating to BC/DR 
testing) applicable to their members or participants that are 
designed to, among other things, foster cooperation and coordination 
with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing 
information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in 
securities, 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.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See SCI Adopting Release, supra note 3 at 72350.

Though the MSRB is not a national securities exchange as provided in 
section 6 of the Act,\14\ the MSRB believes that the proposed rule 
change is consistent with its authority and legal responsibility under 
section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the Act.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-4(b)(2)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    Section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the Act \16\ requires that MSRB rules not 
be designed to impose any burden on competition not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The MSRB does 
not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any additional 
burdens on competition that are not necessary or

[[Page 72758]]

appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received on the 
proposed rule change.

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

    Pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) \17\ of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) \18\ thereunder, the MSRB has designated the proposed rule 
change as one that affects a change that 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. A proposed rule change filed under Rule 
19b-4(f)(6) normally does not become operative until 30 days after the 
date of filing.\19\ However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) permits the 
Commission to waive the 30 day operative delay if such action is 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public 
interest.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \19\ Id.
    \20\ In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-
regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its 
intent to file a proposed rule change, along with a brief 
description and text of such proposed rule change, at least five 
business days prior to the date of filing, or such shorter time as 
designated by the Commission. The Commission has designated a 
shorter time for delivery of such written notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The MSRB has requested that the Commission designate the proposed 
rule change operative upon filing on November 2, 2015, which is less 
than 30 days after the date of filing of the proposed rule change, as 
specified in Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii).\21\ According to the MSRB, the 
proposed rule change is necessary for the MSRB to comply with 
Regulation SCI and the waiver of the 30 day operative delay allows the 
MSRB to conform its rules prior to the Regulation SCI compliance date 
of November 3, 2015. 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 the MSRB to incorporate changes 
required under Regulation SCI, such as requiring participation in BC/DR 
Plans testing, prior to the Regulation SCI compliance date. 
Accordingly, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be 
operative upon filing on November 2, 2015.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ See SR-MSRB-2015-12 (filed with the Commission on November 
2, 2015).
    \22\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay for 
this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's 
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 
U.S.C. 78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-MSRB-2015-12 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-MSRB-2015-12. 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 Web site (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 Web site 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 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the MSRB. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-MSRB-2015-12 and should be 
submitted on or before December 11, 2015.

    For the Commission, pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-29599 Filed 11-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                              72756                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 224 / Friday, November 20, 2015 / Notices

                                                 Registration: Individuals wishing to                  proposed new MSRB Rule A–18 to                        A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                              participate in any of the CORs should                    require certain brokers, dealers,                     Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                              send the participant’s name, affiliation,                municipal securities dealers and                      Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                              and country of residence to                              municipal advisors registered with the                Change
                                              sstandridge@nnco.nano.gov or mail the                    MSRB (‘‘MSRB Registrants’’) to                        1. Purpose
                                              information to Stacey Standridge, 4201                   participate in business continuity and
                                              Wilson Blvd., Stafford II, Suite 405,                                                                             As adopted by the Commission,
                                                                                                       disaster recovery plans (‘‘BC/DR Plans’’)
                                              Arlington, VA 22230. NNCO will collect                                                                         Regulation SCI applies to certain self-
                                                                                                       testing in connection with Regulation
                                              email addresses from registrants to                                                                            regulatory organizations (including the
                                                                                                       Systems Compliance and Integrity                      MSRB), alternative trading systems,
                                              ensure that they are added to the COR                    (‘‘Regulation SCI’’) 3 (the ‘‘proposed rule
                                              listserv(s) to receive meeting                                                                                 plan processors, and exempt clearing
                                                                                                       change’’). The MSRB has designated the                agencies (collectively, ‘‘SCI entities’’),
                                              information and other updates relevant                   proposed rule change as ‘‘non-
                                              to the COR scope from other COR                                                                                and mandates these SCI entities to
                                                                                                       controversial’’ pursuant to section                   comply with requirements with respect
                                              members. Email addresses are submitted
                                                                                                       19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 4 and Rule                to the automated systems central to the
                                              on a completely voluntary basis.
                                                 Meeting Accommodations:                               19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 5 thereunder, which                  performance of their regulated activities.
                                              Individuals requiring special                            renders it effective upon filing with the             Among the requirements of Regulation
                                              accommodation to access these public                     Commission. A proposed rule change                    SCI is Rule 1001(a)(2)(v), which requires
                                              meetings should contact Stacey                           filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 6 normally               the MSRB and other SCI entities to
                                              Standridge (telephone 703–292–8103) at                   does not become operative prior to 30                 maintain ‘‘[b]usiness continuity and
                                              least ten business days prior to each                    days after the date of the filing.                    disaster recovery plans that include
                                              meeting so that appropriate                              However, pursuant to Rule 19b–                        maintaining backup and recovery
                                              arrangements can be made.                                4(f)(6)(iii),7 the Commission may                     capabilities sufficiently resilient and
                                                                                                       designate a shorter time if such action               geographically diverse and that are
                                              Ted Wackler,                                                                                                   reasonably designed to achieve next
                                                                                                       is consistent with the protection of
                                              Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Director.                                                                  business day resumption of trading and
                                                                                                       investors and the public interest. The
                                              [FR Doc. 2015–29428 Filed 11–19–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                       MSRB is requesting the Commission                     two-hour resumption of critical SCI
                                              BILLING CODE 3270–F6–P                                                                                         systems following a wide-scale
                                                                                                       waive the 30-day operative delay so that
                                                                                                                                                             disruption.’’ 8
                                                                                                       the proposed rule change to require                      The MSRB has put extensive time and
                                                                                                       participation in BC/DR Plans testing as               resources toward planning for system
                                              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                  mandated by Regulation SCI may
                                              COMMISSION                                                                                                     failures and already maintains robust
                                                                                                       become operative immediately upon                     procedures for business continuity and
                                              [Release No. 34–76443; File No. SR–MSRB–                 filing.                                               disaster recovery. As set forth below, in
                                              2015–12]                                                                                                       connection with Regulation SCI, the
                                                                                                          The text of the proposed rule change
                                                                                                       is available on the MSRB’s Web site at                MSRB is proposing to require certain
                                              Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                                                                       www.msrb.org/Rules-and-                               MSRB Registrants to participate in the
                                              Municipal Securities Rulemaking
                                                                                                       Interpretations/SEC-Filings/2015-                     testing of the operation of the MSRB’s
                                              Board; Notice of Filing and Immediate
                                                                                                       Filings.aspx, at the MSRB’s principal                 BC/DR Plans. With respect to an SCI
                                              Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
                                                                                                       office, and at the Commission’s Public                entity’s BC/DR Plans, including its
                                              Change To Adopt Proposed New
                                                                                                       Reference Room.                                       backup systems, paragraph (a) of Rule
                                              MSRB Rule A–18, on Mandatory
                                                                                                                                                             1004 of Regulation SCI requires each
                                              Participation in Business Continuity
                                                                                                       II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    SCI entity to: ‘‘[e]stablish standards for
                                              and Disaster Recovery Testing
                                                                                                       Statement of the Purpose of, and                      the designation of those members or
                                              November 16, 2015.                                       Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                participants that the SCI entity
                                                 Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the                   Change                                                reasonably determines are, taken as a
                                              Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                                                                           whole, the minimum necessary for the
                                              ‘‘Act’’ or ‘‘Exchange Act’’) 1 and Rule                    In its filing with the Commission, the              maintenance of fair and orderly markets
                                              19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby                      MSRB included statements concerning                   in the event of the activation of such
                                              given that on November 2, 2015, the                      the purpose of and basis for the                      plans.’’ 9 Paragraph (b) of Rule 1004
                                              Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board                    proposed rule change and discussed any                further requires each SCI entity to
                                              (the ‘‘MSRB’’ or ‘‘Board’’) filed with the               comments it received on the proposed                  ‘‘[d]esignate members or participants
                                              Securities and Exchange Commission                       rule change. The text of these statements             pursuant to the standards established in
                                              (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                       may be examined at the places specified               paragraph (a) of [Rule 1004] and require
                                              change as described in Items I and II                    in Item IV below. The MSRB has                        participation by such designated
                                              below, which Items have been prepared                    prepared summaries, set forth in                      members or participants in scheduled
                                              by the MSRB. The Commission is                           sections A, B, and C below, of the most               functional and performance testing of
                                              publishing this notice to solicit                        significant aspects of such statements.               the operation of such plans, in the
                                              comments on the proposed rule change                                                                           manner and frequency specified by the
                                              from interested persons.                                                                                       SCI entity, provided that such frequency
                                                                                                                                                             shall not be less than once every 12
                                              I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                                                              months.’’ 10 In order to comply with
                                              Statement of the Terms of Substance of
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                         3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73639     Rule 1004 of Regulation SCI, the MSRB
                                              the Proposed Rule Change                                 (November 19, 2014), 79 FR 72251 (December 5,         proposes to adopt new Rule A–18 to
                                                 The MSRB filed with the Commission                    2014) (‘‘SCI Adopting Release’’).                     provide for the mandatory participation
                                              a proposed rule change to adopt                            4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).

                                                                                                         5 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                             8 17 CFR 242.1001(a)(2)(v).
                                                1 15                                                     6 Id.
                                                     U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                                                                         9 17 CFR 242.1004(a).
                                                2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                      7 Id.                                                 10 17 CFR 242.1004(b).




                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014    17:39 Nov 19, 2015   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00077   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM   20NON1


                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 224 / Friday, November 20, 2015 / Notices                                                   72757

                                              of certain MSRB Registrants                             disaster recovery testing under new                   Act,11 which requires, in pertinent part,
                                              (‘‘Participants’’) in the testing of the                Rule A–18.                                            that the MSRB’s rules shall be designed
                                              MSRB’s BC/DR Plans, as described                           In adopting the requirements of new                to promote just and equitable principles of
                                              below.                                                  Rule A–18(b), the MSRB intends to                     trade, to foster cooperation and coordination
                                                 Section (a) of new Rule A–18 includes                subject certain MSRB Registrants to                   with persons engaged in regulating, clearing,
                                              language from paragraph (a) of Rule                     mandatory testing as the minimum                      settling, processing information with respect
                                              1004 of Regulation SCI to summarize                     necessary to maintain fair and orderly                to, and facilitating transactions in municipal
                                              the MSRB’s obligation pursuant to such                  markets in the event of the activation of             securities and municipal financial products,
                                              rule. Specifically, the MSRB proposes to                such BC/DR plans. The MSRB believes                   to remove impediments to and perfect the
                                                                                                                                                            mechanism of a free and open market in
                                              state that ‘‘[p]ursuant to Regulation                   that designating Participants to
                                                                                                                                                            municipal securities and municipal financial
                                              Systems Compliance and Integrity                        participate in mandatory testing because              products, and, in general, to protect
                                              under the Securities Exchange Act of                    they are among those entities whose                   investors, municipal entities, obligated
                                              1934 and with respect to the MSRB’s                     submissions of data to the MSRB, taken                persons, and the public interest.
                                              business continuity and disaster                        as a whole, account for a meaningful
                                                                                                      percentage of the MSRB’s data                         The proposed rule change will provide
                                              recovery plans, including its backup
                                                                                                      submission volume required to be                      that MSRB Registrants necessary to
                                              systems, the MSRB is required to
                                                                                                      provided by MSRB Registrants is a                     ensure the maintenance of a fair and
                                              establish standards for the designation
                                                                                                      measured approach to a threshold                      orderly market are properly designated
                                              of MSRB Registrants that the MSRB
                                                                                                      criteria to ensure the maintenance of a               consistent with Rule 1004 of Regulation
                                              reasonably determines are, taken as a
                                                                                                      fair and orderly market.                              SCI.12
                                              whole, the minimum necessary for the
                                                                                                                                                              Specifically, the proposed rule change
                                              maintenance of fair and orderly markets                    Third, in section (c) of new Rule A–
                                                                                                                                                            will adopt standards with respect to the
                                              in the event of the activation of such                  18, the MSRB proposes that Participants
                                                                                                                                                            designation of MSRB Registrants that
                                              plans.’’ The MSRB further proposes that                 will be required to participate in
                                                                                                                                                            are required to participate in the testing
                                              section (a) indicate that the ‘‘MSRB has                functional and performance testing of
                                                                                                                                                            of the MSRB’s BC/DR Plans, as well as
                                              established standards and will designate                the operation of the MSRB’s BC/DR
                                                                                                                                                            appropriate notification regarding such
                                              Participants according to those                         Plans, in the manner and frequency
                                                                                                                                                            designation. As set forth in the SCI
                                              standards as set forth’’ in new Rule A–                 specified by the MSRB. In addition, new
                                                                                                                                                            Adopting Release,
                                              18. Any changes to the standards by                     Rule A–18 provides that such testing
                                              which MSRB Registrants might be                         shall occur at least once every 12                       SROs have the authority, and legal
                                              designated Participants would be                        months.                                               responsibility, under Section 6 of the
                                              applied prospectively and would be                         Lastly, in section (d) of new Rule A–              Exchange Act, to adopt and enforce rules
                                                                                                                                                            (including rules to comply with Regulation
                                              publicly announced with reasonable                      18, the MSRB proposes to set forth                    SCI’s requirements relating to BC/DR testing)
                                              advance notice. The MSRB would first                    definitions for purposes of new Rule A–               applicable to their members or participants
                                              announce the methodology for                            18 of ‘‘MSRB Registrants’’ and                        that are designed to, among other things,
                                              designating Participants on or before                   ‘‘Participants.’’ For purposes of new                 foster cooperation and coordination with
                                              November 3, 2015.                                       Rule A–18, ‘‘MSRB Registrants’’ means                 persons engaged in regulating, clearing,
                                                 Second, in section (b) of new Rule A–                ‘‘brokers, dealers, municipal securities              settling, processing information with respect
                                              18, the MSRB proposes to specify that                   dealers or municipal advisors registered              to, and facilitating transactions in securities,
                                              it ‘‘shall designate Participants as those              with the MSRB’’ and ‘‘Participants’’                  to remove impediments to and perfect the
                                                                                                      means ‘‘those MSRB Registrants that the               mechanism of a free and open market and a
                                              MSRB Registrants whose submissions of                                                                         national market system, and, in general, to
                                              data to the MSRB, taken as a whole,                     MSRB has determined, pursuant to                      protect investors and the public interest.13
                                              account for a meaningful percentage of                  section (b) of [Rule A–18], are among
                                              the MSRB’s data submission volume                       those MSRB Registrants whose                          Though the MSRB is not a national
                                              required to be provided by MSRB                         submissions of data to the MSRB, taken                securities exchange as provided in
                                              Registrants, measured during the                        as a whole, account for a meaningful                  section 6 of the Act,14 the MSRB
                                              Measurement Period’’ and that ‘‘[t]he                   percentage of the MSRB’s data                         believes that the proposed rule change
                                              percentage of data submission volume                    submission volume required to be                      is consistent with its authority and legal
                                              and the minimum number of                               provided by MSRB Registrants,                         responsibility under section
                                              Participants that the MSRB considers to                 measured during the Measurement                       15B(b)(2)(C) of the Act.15
                                              be meaningful and the Measurement                       Period, which percentage of data                      B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                              Period will be determined by the MSRB,                  submissions volume represents the                     Statement on Burden on Competition
                                              published to MSRB Registrants in                        minimum necessary for the
                                              advance of the Measurement Period,                      maintenance of fair and orderly markets                 Section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the Act 16
                                              and applied during the Measurement                      in the event of the activation of the                 requires that MSRB rules not be
                                              Period (not retroactively).’’ The MSRB                  MSRB’s BC/DR Plans.’’ Further, for                    designed to impose any burden on
                                              further proposes that section (b) indicate              purposes of new Rule A–18,                            competition not necessary or
                                              that the MSRB will, at least forty-five                 ‘‘Measurement Period’’ means ‘‘the time               appropriate in furtherance of the
                                              (45) calendar days prior to a functional                period, whether monthly or quarterly,                 purposes of the Act. The MSRB does not
                                              and performance testing of the operation                during which time MSRB measures data                  believe that the proposed rule change
                                              of the MSRB’s BC/DR Plans,                              submission required to be provided by                 would impose any additional burdens
                                              individually notify all Participants that               MSRB Registrants for purposes of                      on competition that are not necessary or
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              are required to participate in such                     designating Participants in accordance
                                                                                                                                                              11 15  U.S.C. 78o–4(b)(2)(C).
                                              testing. The MSRB believes the                          with section (b).’’
                                                                                                                                                              12 17  CFR 242.1004.
                                              proposed notice requirement is                          2. Statutory Basis                                      13 See SCI Adopting Release, supra note 3 at
                                              necessary to provide sufficient advance                                                                       72350.
                                              notice to those MSRB Registrants that                     The MSRB believes that the proposed                   14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

                                              are designated as Participants in                       rule change is consistent with the                      15 15 U.S.C. 78o–4(b)(2)(C).

                                              mandatory business continuity and                       provisions of section 15B(b)(2)(C) of the               16 Id.




                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:39 Nov 19, 2015   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00078   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM    20NON1


                                              72758                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 224 / Friday, November 20, 2015 / Notices

                                              appropriate in furtherance of the                          Accordingly, the Commission                           inspection and copying at the principal
                                              purposes of the Act.                                       designates the proposed rule change to                office of the MSRB. All comments
                                                                                                         be operative upon filing on November 2,               received will be posted without change;
                                              C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                         2015.22                                               the Commission does not edit personal
                                              Statement on Comments on the                                  At any time within 60 days of the                  identifying information from
                                              Proposed Rule Change Received From                         filing of the proposed rule change, the               submissions. You should submit only
                                              Members, Participants, or Others                           Commission summarily may                              information that you wish to make
                                                Written comments were neither                            temporarily suspend such rule change if               available publicly. All submissions
                                              solicited nor received on the proposed                     it appears to the Commission that such                should refer to File Number SR–MSRB–
                                              rule change.                                               action is necessary or appropriate in the             2015–12 and should be submitted on or
                                              III. Date of Effectiveness of the                          public interest, for the protection of                before December 11, 2015.
                                              Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                        investors, or otherwise in furtherance of               For the Commission, pursuant to delegated
                                              Commission Action                                          the purposes of the Act.                              authority.23
                                                 Pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) 17 of                   IV. Solicitation of Comments                          Robert W. Errett,
                                              the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 18                              Interested persons are invited to                   Deputy Secretary.
                                              thereunder, the MSRB has designated                        submit written data, views, and                       [FR Doc. 2015–29599 Filed 11–19–15; 8:45 am]
                                              the proposed rule change as one that                       arguments concerning the foregoing,                   BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                              affects a change that does not: (i)                        including whether the proposed rule
                                              Significantly affect the protection of                     change is consistent with the Act.
                                              investors or the public interest; (ii)                     Comments may be submitted by any of                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                              impose any significant burden on                           the following methods:                                COMMISSION
                                              competition; and (iii) become operative                                                                          [Release No. 34–76447; File No. SR–BOX–
                                                                                                         Electronic Comments
                                              for 30 days from the date on which it                                                                            2015–36]
                                              was filed, or such shorter time as the                       • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                              Commission may designate. A proposed                       comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                     Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX
                                              rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6)                   rules/sro.shtml); or                                  Options Exchange LLC; Notice of
                                              normally does not become operative                           • Send an email to rule-comments@                   Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                              until 30 days after the date of filing.19                  sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–               a Proposed Rule Change To Amend
                                              However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) permits                     MSRB–2015–12 on the subject line.                     the Fee Schedule on the BOX Market
                                              the Commission to waive the 30 day                                                                               LLC Options Facility
                                                                                                         Paper Comments
                                              operative delay if such action is
                                                                                                            • Send paper comments in triplicate                November 16, 2015.
                                              consistent with the protection of                                                                                   Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                                                                         to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                              investors and the public interest.20                                                                             Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                 The MSRB has requested that the                         Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                         Washington, DC 20549.                                 ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                              Commission designate the proposed                                                                                notice is hereby given that on November
                                              rule change operative upon filing on                       All submissions should refer to File
                                                                                                         Number SR–MSRB–2015–12. This file                     4, 2015, BOX Options Exchange LLC
                                              November 2, 2015, which is less than 30                                                                          (the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
                                              days after the date of filing of the                       number should be included on the
                                                                                                         subject line if email is used. To help the            Securities and Exchange Commission
                                              proposed rule change, as specified in                                                                            (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                              Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii).21 According to the                  Commission process and review your
                                                                                                         comments more efficiently, please use                 change as described in Items I, II, and
                                              MSRB, the proposed rule change is                                                                                III below, which Items have been
                                              necessary for the MSRB to comply with                      only one method. The Commission will
                                                                                                         post all comments on the Commission’s                 prepared by the Exchange. The
                                              Regulation SCI and the waiver of the 30                                                                          Exchange filed the proposed rule change
                                              day operative delay allows the MSRB to                     Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                                                                         rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                       pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the
                                              conform its rules prior to the Regulation                                                                        Act,3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) thereunder,4
                                              SCI compliance date of November 3,                         submission, all subsequent
                                                                                                         amendments, all written statements                    which renders the proposal effective
                                              2015. The Commission believes that                                                                               upon filing with the Commission. The
                                              waiving the 30-day operative delay is                      with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                         change that are filed with the                        Commission is publishing this notice to
                                              consistent with the protection of                                                                                solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                              investors and the public interest as it                    Commission, and all written
                                                                                                         communications relating to the                        change from interested persons.
                                              will allow the MSRB to incorporate
                                              changes required under Regulation SCI,                     proposed rule change between the                      I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                              such as requiring participation in                         Commission and any person, other than                 Statement of the Terms of the Substance
                                              BC/DR Plans testing, prior to the                          those that may be withheld from the                   of the Proposed Rule Change
                                              Regulation SCI compliance date.                            public in accordance with the
                                                                                                         provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                      The Exchange is filing with the
                                                                                                         available for Web site viewing and                    Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                17 15    U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                         printing in the Commission’s Public                   (‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change
                                                18 17    CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
                                                19 Id.                                                   Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                     to amend the Fee Schedule to revise the
                                                20 In addition, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-   Washington, DC 20549 on official                      qualification thresholds for all volume
                                              regulatory organization to give the Commission             business days between the hours of                    based fees and rebates on the BOX
                                              written notice of its intent to file a proposed rule                                                             Market LLC (‘‘BOX’’) options facility.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              change, along with a brief description and text of
                                                                                                         10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                                                                         filing also will be available for                     Changes to the fee schedule pursuant to
                                              such proposed rule change, at least five business
                                              days prior to the date of filing, or such shorter time                                                             23 17
                                              as designated by the Commission. The Commission               22 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day                 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                                                                                                                                 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                              has designated a shorter time for delivery of such         operative delay for this proposal, the Commission
                                                                                                                                                                 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                              written notice.                                            has considered the proposed rule’s impact on
                                                21 See SR–MSRB–2015–12 (filed with the                                                                           3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
                                                                                                         efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
                                              Commission on November 2, 2015).                           15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                                       4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).




                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014      17:39 Nov 19, 2015   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00079   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM    20NON1



Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:58:06
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:58:06
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation80 FR 72756 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR