Notice2021-19852
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Extending the Expiration Date of the Temporary Amendments to Rules 9261 and 9830 as set Forth in SR-NYSE-2020-76
Primary source
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Published
September 15, 2021
Issuing agencies
Securities and Exchange Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51421-51424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19852]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-92907; File No. SR-NYSE-2021-47]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
Extending the Expiration Date of the Temporary Amendments to Rules 9261
and 9830 as set Forth in SR-NYSE-2020-76
September 9, 2021.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby
given that on August 27, 2021, New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' or
the ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I
and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory
organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
\3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes extending the expiration date of the
temporary amendments to Rules 9261 and 9830 as set forth in SR-NYSE-
2020-76 from August 31, 2021, to December 31, 2021, in conformity with
recent changes by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
(``FINRA''). The proposed rule change would not make any changes to the
text of NYSE Rules 9261 and 9830. The proposed rule change is available
on the Exchange's website at <a href="http://www.nyse.com">www.nyse.com</a>, 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 self-regulatory organization
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 those 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
The Exchange proposes extending the expiration date of the
temporary amendments as set forth in SR-NYSE-2020-76 \4\ to Rules 9261
(Evidence and Procedure in Hearing) and 9830 (Hearing) from August 31,
2021, to December 31, 2021 to harmonize with recent changes by FINRA to
extend the expiration date of the temporary amendments to its Rules
9261 and 9830. SR-NYSE-2020-76 temporarily granted to the Chief or
Deputy Chief Hearing Officer the authority to order that hearings be
conducted by video conference if warranted by public health risks posed
by in-person hearings during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The
proposed rule change would not make any changes to the text of Exchange
Rules 9261 and 9830.\5\
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\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90024 (September 28,
2020), 85 FR 62353 (October 2, 2020) (SR-NYSE-2020-76) (``SR-NYSE-
2020-76'').
\5\ The Exchange may submit a separate rule filing to extend the
expiration date of the proposed extension beyond December 31, 2021
if the Exchange requires additional temporary relief from the rule
requirements identified in NYSE-SR-2020-76. The amended NYSE rules
will revert back to their original state at the conclusion of the
temporary relief period and any extension thereof.
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Background
In 2013, the NYSE adopted disciplinary rules that are, with certain
exceptions, substantially the same as the FINRA Rule 8000 Series and
Rule 9000 Series, and which set forth rules for conducting
investigations and enforcement actions.\6\ The NYSE disciplinary rules
were implemented on July 1, 2013.\7\
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\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68678 (January 16,
2013), 78 FR 5213 (January 24, 2013) (SR-NYSE-2013-02) (``2013
Notice''), 69045 (March 5, 2013), 78 FR 15394 (March 11, 2013) (SR-
NYSE-2013-02) (``2013 Approval Order''), and 69963 (July 10, 2013),
78 FR 42573 (July 16, 2013) (SR-NYSE-2013-49).
\7\ See NYSE Information Memorandum 13-8 (May 24, 2013).
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In adopting disciplinary rules modeled on FINRA's rules, the NYSE
adopted the hearing and evidentiary processes set forth in Rule 9261
and in Rule 9830 for hearings in matters involving temporary and
permanent cease and desist orders under the Rule 9800 Series. As
adopted, the text of Rule 9261 is identical to the counterpart FINRA
rule. Rule 9830 is substantially the same as FINRA's rule, except for
conforming and technical amendments.\8\
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\8\ See 2013 Approval Order, 78 FR at 15394, n.7 & 15400; 2013
Notice, 78 FR at 5228 & 5234.
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In response to the COVID-19 global health crisis and the
corresponding need to restrict in-person activities, on August 31,
2020, FINRA filed with the Commission a proposed rule change for
immediate effectiveness, SR-FINRA-2020-027, which allowed FINRA's
Office of Hearing Officers (``OHO'') to conduct hearings, on a
temporary basis, by video conference, if warranted by the current
COVID-19-related public health risks posed by an in-person hearing.
Among the rules FINRA amended were Rules 9261 and 9830.\9\
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\9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 89737 (September 2,
2020), 85 FR 55712 (September 9, 2020) (SR-FINRA-2020-027) (``SR-
FINRA-2020-027'').
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Given that FINRA and OHO administers disciplinary hearings on the
Exchange's behalf, and that the public health concerns addressed by
FINRA's amendments apply equally to Exchange disciplinary hearings, on
September 15, 2020, the Exchange filed to temporarily amend Rule 9261
and Rule 9830 to permit FINRA to conduct virtual hearings on its
behalf.\10\ In December 2020, FINRA filed a proposed rule change, SR-
FINRA-2020-042, to extend the expiration date of the temporary
amendments in SR-FINRA-2020-027 from December 31, 2020, to April 30,
2021.\11\ On December 22, 2020, the Exchange filed to extend the
temporary amendments to Rule 9261 and Rule 9830 to April 30, 2021.\12\
On April 1, 2021, FINRA filed a proposed rule change, SR-FINRA-2021-
006, to extend the expiration date of the temporary rule amendments to,
among other rules, FINRA Rule 9261 and 9830 from April
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30, 2021, to August 31, 2021.\13\ On April 20, 2021, the Exchange filed
to extend the temporary amendments to Rule 9261 and Rule 9830 to August
31, 2021, after which the temporary amendments will expire absent
another proposed rule change filing by the Exchange.\14\
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\10\ See note 4, supra.
\11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90619 (December 9,
2020), 85 FR 81250 (December 15, 2020) (SR-FINRA-2020-042).
\12\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90821 (December 30,
2020), 86 FR 644 (January 6, 2021) (SR-NYSE-2020-107).
\13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 91495 (April 7,
2021), 86 FR 19306 (April 13, 2021) (SR-FINRA-2021-006).
\14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 91629 (April 22,
2021), 86 FR 22505 (April 28, 2021) (SR-NYSE-2021-27).
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As outlined in detail below, while there are signs of improvement,
based on FINRA's assessment of current COVID-19 conditions and the lack
of a clear timeframe for a sustained and widespread abatement of COVID-
19-related health concerns and corresponding restrictions, FINRA
determined that there is a continued need for temporary relief for
several months beyond August 31, 2021. On August 13, 2021, FINRA
accordingly filed to extend the expiration date of the temporary rule
amendments to, among other rules, FINRA Rule 9261 and 9830 from August
31, 2021, to December 31, 2021.\15\
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\15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92685 (August 17,
2021), 86 FR 47169 (August 23, 2021) (SR-FINRA-2021-019) (``SR-
FINRA-2021-019'').
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Proposed Rule Change
Consistent with FINRA's recent proposal, the Exchange proposes to
extend the expiration date of the temporary rule amendments to NYSE
Rules 9261 and 9830 as set forth in SR-NYSE-2020-76 from August 31,
2021, to December 31, 2021.
As set forth in SR-FINRA 2021-019, while there are signs of
improvement, much uncertainty remains for the coming months. The
emergence of the Delta variant, dissimilar vaccination rates throughout
the United States, and the uptick in transmissions in many locations
indicate that COVID-19 remains an active and real public health
concern. Based on FINRA's assessment of current COVID-19 conditions and
the lack of a clear timeframe for a sustained and widespread abatement
of COVID-19-related health concerns and corresponding restrictions,
FINRA has determined that there is a continued need for this temporary
relief for several months beyond August 31, 2021.\16\ FINRA accordingly
proposed to extend the expiration date of the temporary rule amendments
from August 31, 2021, to December 31, 2021.
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\16\ See id.
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The Exchange proposes to similarly extend the expiration date of
the temporary rule amendments to NYSE Rules 9261 and 9830 as set forth
in SR-NYSE-2020-76 from August 31, 2021, to December 31, 2021. The
Exchange agrees with FINRA that much uncertainty remains for the coming
months and that, based on the lack of a clear timeframe for a sustained
and widespread abatement of COVID-19-related health concerns and
corresponding restrictions as set forth in SR-FINRA-2021-019, there is
a continued need for temporary relief for several months beyond August
31, 2021. The proposed change would permit OHO to continue to assess,
based on critical COVID-19 data and criteria and the guidance of health
and security consultants, whether an in-person hearing would compromise
the health and safety of the hearing participants such that the hearing
should proceed by video conference. As noted in SR-FINRA-2021-019, in
deciding whether to schedule a hearing by video conference, OHO may
consider a variety of other factors in addition to COVID-19 trends. In
SR-FINRA-2020-027, FINRA provided a non-exhaustive list of other
factors OHO may take into consideration, including a hearing
participant's individual health concerns and access to the connectivity
and technology necessary to participate in a video conference
hearing.\17\ The Exchange believes that this is a reasonable procedure
to continue to follow for hearings under Rules 9261 and 9830 chaired by
a FINRA employee.
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\17\ See SR-FINRA-2020-027, 85 FR at 55715, n. 28; SR-FINRA-
2021-019, 86 FR at 47170, n. 13.
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As noted below, the Exchange has filed the proposed rule change for
immediate effectiveness and has requested that the SEC waive the
requirement that the proposed rule change not become operative for 30
days after the date of the filing, so the Exchange can implement the
proposed rule change immediately.
2. Statutory Basis
The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the
Act,\18\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5),\19\ in particular, because it is designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination
with persons engaged in 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. Additionally, the Exchange believes
the proposed rule change is designed to provide a fair procedure for
the disciplining of members and persons associated with members,
consistent with Sections 6(b)(7) and 6(d) of the Act.\20\
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\18\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(7) & 78f(d).
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The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change supports the
objectives of the Act by providing greater harmonization between
Exchange rules and FINRA rules of similar purpose, resulting in less
burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance. As such, the
proposed rule change will foster cooperation and coordination with
persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities and will
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open
market and a national market system.
The proposed rule change, which extends the expiration date of the
temporary amendments to Exchange rules consistent with FINRA's
extension to its Rules 9261 and 9830 for four months as set forth in
SR-FINRA-2021-019, will permit the Exchange to continue to effectively
conduct hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic. As noted above and in
SR-FINRA-2021-019, given the current and frequently changing COVID-19
conditions and the uncertainty around when those conditions will see
meaningful, widespread and sustained improvement, without this relief
allowing OHO to proceed by video conference, some or all hearings may
have to be postponed. The ability to conduct hearings by video
conference will permit the adjudicatory functions of the Exchange's
disciplinary rules to continue unabated, thereby avoiding protracted
delays. The Exchange believes that this is especially important in
matters where temporary and permanent cease and desist orders are
sought because the proposed rule change would enable those hearings to
continue to proceed without delay, thereby enabling the Exchange to
continue to take immediate action to stop significant, ongoing customer
harm, to the benefit of the investing public.
As set forth in detail in the SR-NYSE-2020-76, the temporary relief
to permit hearings to be conducted via video conference maintains fair
process and will continue to provide fair process consistent with
Sections 6(b)(7) and 6(d) of the Act \21\ while striking an appropriate
balance between providing fair process and enabling the Exchange to
fulfill its statutory obligations to
[[Page 51423]]
protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets while avoiding
the COVID-19-related public health risks for hearing participants. The
Exchange notes that this proposal, like SR-NYSE-2020-76, provides only
temporary relief. As proposed, the changes would be in place through
December 31, 2021. As noted in SR-NYSE-2020-76 and above, the amended
rules will revert back to their original state at the conclusion of the
temporary relief period and, if applicable, any extension thereof.
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\21\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(7) & 78f(d).
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Accordingly, the proposed rule change extending this temporary
relief is in the public interest and consistent with the Act's purpose.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed temporary rule
change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed
rule change is not intended to address competitive issues but is rather
intended solely to provide continued temporary relief given the impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related health and safety risks of
conducting in-person activities. The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change will prevent unnecessary impediments to critical
adjudicatory processes and its ability to fulfill its statutory
obligations to protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets
that would otherwise result if the temporary amendments were to expire
on August 31, 2021.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the
proposed rule change.
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 \22\ and
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\23\
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\22\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\23\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \24\ normally
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\25\ 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 that the proposal
may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange has
indicated that the proposed rule change to extend the expiration date
will continue to prevent unnecessary impediments to its operations,
including its critical adjudicatory processes, and its ability to
fulfill its statutory obligations to protect investors and maintain
fair and orderly markets that would otherwise result if the temporary
amendments were to expire on August 31, 2021.\26\ Importantly,
extending the relief provided in SR-NYSE-2020-76 immediately upon
filing and without a 30-day operative delay will allow the Exchange to
continue critical adjudicatory and review processes in a reasonable and
fair manner and meet its critical investor protection goals, while also
following best practices with respect to the health and safety of
hearing participants.\27\ The Commission also notes that this proposal
extends without change the temporary relief previously provided by SR-
NYSE-2020-76.\28\ As proposed, the changes would be in place through
December 31, 2021 and the amended rules will revert back to their
original state at the conclusion of the temporary relief period and, if
applicable, any extension thereof.\29\ For these reasons, the
Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative delay for this
proposal is consistent with the protection of investors and the public
interest. Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day
operative delay and designates the proposal operative upon filing.\30\
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\24\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\25\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\26\ See supra Item II.
\27\ See FINRA Filing, 86 FR at 47171 (noting the same in
granting FINRA's request to waive the 30-day operative delay so that
SR-FINRA-2021-019 would become operative immediately upon filing).
\28\ See supra note 4.
\29\ See supra note 5. As noted above, the Exchange states that
if it requires temporary relief from the rule requirements
identified in this proposal beyond December 31, 2021, it may submit
a separate rule filing to extend the effectiveness of the temporary
relief under these rules.
\30\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has considered the proposed rule change's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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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
<bullet> Use the Commission's internet comment form (<a href="http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>); or
<bullet> Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8bf9fee7eea6e8e4e6e6eee5fff8cbf8eee8a5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c1b3b4ada4eca2aeacaca4afb5b281b2a4a2efa6aeb7">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include
File Number SR-NYSE-2021-47 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
<bullet> 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-NYSE-2021-47. 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 (<a href="http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>).
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
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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 Exchange. 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-NYSE-2021-47 and should be submitted on or before
October 6, 2021.
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\31\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\31\
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-19852 Filed 9-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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