Notice2022-07625
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Expiration Date of the Temporary Amendments Concerning Video Conference Hearings
Primary source
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Published
April 11, 2022
Issuing agencies
Securities and Exchange Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 69 (Monday, April 11, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21225-21227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07625]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-94610; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2022-028]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To
Extend the Expiration Date of the Temporary Amendments Concerning Video
Conference Hearings
April 5, 2022.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that
on March 23, 2022, The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'' or
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in
Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange.
The Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a
``non-controversial'' rule change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4
under the Act,\3\ which renders the proposal effective upon receipt of
this filing by the Commission. 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\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to extend the expiration date of the
temporary amendments in SR-NASDAQ-2020-076 from March 31, 2022, to July
31, 2022.\4\ The proposed rule change would not make any changes to the
text of the Exchange rules.
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\4\ If the Exchange seeks to provide additional temporary relief
from the rule requirements identified in this proposed rule change
beyond July 31, 2022, the Exchange will submit a separate rule
filing to further extend the temporary extension of time. The
amended Exchange rules will revert to their original form at the
conclusion of the temporary relief period and any extension thereof.
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The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
website at <a href="https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/rulebook/nasdaq/rules">https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/rulebook/nasdaq/rules</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 Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to continue to harmonize Exchange Rules 1015,
9261, 9524 and 9830 with recent changes by the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, Inc. (``FINRA'') to its Rules 1015, 9261, 9524
and 9830 in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis and the
corresponding need to restrict in-person activities. The Exchange
originally filed proposed rule change SR-NASDAQ-2020-076, which allows
the Exchange's Office of Hearing Officers (``OHO'') and the Exchange
Review Council (``ERC'') 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. In December 2021, the
Exchange filed a proposed rule change, SR-NASDAQ-2021-104, to extend
the expiration date of the temporary amendments in SR- NASDAQ-2020-076
from December 31, 2021, to March 31, 2022.\5\
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\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 93852 (December 22,
2021), 86 FR 74201 (December 29, 2021) (Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-NASDAQ-2021-104).
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While there are material signs of improvement, uncertainty still
remains for the coming months. The continued presence of COVID-19
variants, dissimilar vaccination rates throughout the United States,
and the current medium to high COVID-19 community levels in many states
indicate that COVID-19 remains an active and real public health
concern.\6\ Due to the uncertainty and the lack of a clear timeframe
for a sustained and widespread abatement of COVID-19-related health
concerns and corresponding restrictions,\7\ the Exchange believes that
there is a continued need for temporary relief beyond March 31, 2022.
Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to extend the expiration date of the
temporary rule amendments in SR-NASDAQ-2020-076 from March 31, 2022, to
July 31, 2022.
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\6\ For example, on February 18, 2022, President Joe Biden
continued the national emergency concerning COVID-19 beyond March 1,
2022, because COVID-19 ``continues to cause significant risk to the
public health and safety'' of the United States. See Continuation of
the National Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) Pandemic, 87 FR 10289 (February 23, 2022).
\7\ For instance, the Centers for Disease Control (``CDC'')
recommends that people wear a mask in public indoor settings in
areas with a high COVID-19 community level regardless of vaccination
status or individual risk. See <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-</a> face-coverings.html. Furthermore,
numerous states currently have COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Hawaii requires most people to wear masks in indoor public places
regardless of vaccination status and several other states have mask
mandates in certain settings, such as healthcare and correctional
facilities.
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On November 5, 2020, the Exchange filed, and subsequently extended
to March 31, 2022, SR-NASDAQ-2020-076, to temporarily amend Exchange
Rules 1015, 9261, 9524 and 9830 to grant OHO and the ERC authority \8\
to conduct hearings in connection with appeals of Membership
Application Program decisions, disciplinary actions, eligibility
proceedings and temporary and permanent cease and desist orders by
video conference, if warranted by the COVID-19-related public health
risks posed by an in-person hearing.\9\
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\8\ For OHO hearings under Exchange Rules 9261 and 9830, the
proposed rule change temporarily grants authority to the Chief or
Deputy Chief Hearing Officer to order that a hearing be conducted by
video conference. For ERC hearings under Exchange Rules 1015 and
9524, this temporary authority is granted to the ERC or relevant
Subcommittee.
\9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90390 (November 10,
2020), 85 FR 73302 (November 17, 2020) (Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-NASDAQ-2020-076); see also
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90774 (December 22, 2020), 85 FR
86614 (December 30, 2020) (Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of File No. SR-NASDAQ-2020-092); Securities Exchange
Act Release No. 91763 (May 4, 2021), 86 FR 25055 (May 10, 2021)
(Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-NASDAQ-
2021-033); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92911 (September 9,
2021), 86 FR 51395 (September 15, 2021) (Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-NASDAQ-2021-067); supra note
5.
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As set forth in the previous filings, the Exchange also relies on
COVID-19 data and the guidance issued by public health authorities to
determine whether the current public health risks presented by an in-
person hearing may warrant a hearing by video conference.\10\ Based on
that data and guidance, the Exchange does not believe the COVID-19-
related health concerns necessitating this relief will meaningfully
subside by March 31, 2022, and believes that there will be a continued
need for this temporary relief
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beyond that date. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to extend the
expiration date of the temporary rule amendments originally set forth
in SR-NASDAQ-2020-076 from March 31, 2022, to July 31, 2022. The
extension of these temporary amendments allowing for specified OHO and
ERC hearings to proceed by video conference will allow the Exchange's
critical adjudicatory functions to continue to operate effectively in
these extraordinary circumstances--enabling the Exchange to fulfill its
statutory obligations to protect investors and maintain fair and
orderly markets--while also protecting the health and safety of hearing
participants.
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\10\ As noted in SR-NASDAQ-2020-076, the temporary proposed rule
change grants discretion to OHO and the ERC to order a video
conference hearing. In deciding whether to schedule a hearing by
video conference, OHO and the ERC may consider a variety of other
factors in addition to COVID-19 trends.
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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 Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act,\11\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,\12\ in particular, in that it is designed to
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments
to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national
market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public
interest, by continuing to provide greater harmonization between the
Exchange rules and FINRA rules of similar purpose,\13\ resulting in
less burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance.
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\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 94430 (March 16,
2022), 87 FR 16262 (March 22, 2022) (Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of File No. SR-FINRA-2022-004).
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The proposed rule change, which extends the expiration date of the
temporary amendments to the Exchange rules set forth in SR-NASDAQ-2020-
076, will continue to aid the Exchange's efforts to timely conduct
hearings in connection with its core adjudicatory functions. 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 and ERC
hearings to proceed by video conference, the Exchange might be required
to postpone some or almost all hearings indefinitely. The Exchange must
be able to perform its critical adjudicatory functions to fulfill its
statutory obligations to protect investors and maintain fair and
orderly markets. As such, this relief is essential to the Exchange's
ability to fulfill its statutory obligations and allows hearing
participants to avoid the serious COVID-19-related health and safety
risks associated with in-person hearings.
Among other things, this relief will allow OHO to conduct temporary
cease and desist proceedings by video conference so that the Exchange
can take immediate action to stop ongoing customer harm and will allow
the ERC to timely provide members, disqualified individuals and other
applicants an approval or denial of their applications. As set forth in
detail in SR-NASDAQ-2020-076, this temporary relief allowing OHO and
ERC hearings to proceed by video conference accounts for fair process
considerations and will continue to provide fair process while avoiding
the COVID-19-related public health risks for hearing participants.
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 temporary proposed rule
change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. As set forth in
SR-NASDAQ-2020-076, the proposed rule change is intended solely to
extend temporary relief necessitated by the continued impacts of the
COVID-19 outbreak 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 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 March 31, 2022.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either solicited or received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i)
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii)
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \14\ and
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\15\
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\14\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\15\ 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) \16\ normally
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\17\ 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 March 31, 2022.\18\ Importantly, extending
the temporary relief provided in SR-NASDAQ-2020-076 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 its
employees.\19\ The Commission also notes that this proposal extends
without change the temporary relief previously provided by SR-NASDAQ-
2020-076.\20\ As proposed, the temporary changes would be in place
through July 31, 2022 and the amended rules will revert back to their
original state at the conclusion of the temporary relief period and, if
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applicable, any extension thereof.\21\ 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.\22\
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\16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\18\ See supra Item II.
\19\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 94430 (March 16,
2022); 86 FR 16262, 16264 (March 16, 2022) (noting the same in
granting FINRA's request to waive the 30-day operative delay so that
SR-FINRA-2022-004 would become operative immediately upon filing).
\20\ See supra note 9.
\21\ See supra note 4. As noted above, the Exchange states that
if it requires temporary relief from the rule requirements
identified in this proposal beyond July 31, 2022, it may submit a
separate rule filing to extend the effectiveness of the temporary
relief under these rules.
\22\ 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#2153544d440c424e4c4c444f5552615244420f464e57"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9be9eef7feb6f8f4f6f6fef5efe8dbe8fef8b5fcf4ed">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include
File Number SR-NASDAQ-2022-028 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-NASDAQ-2022-028. 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 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-NASDAQ-2022-028 and should
be submitted on or before May 2, 2022.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
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\23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-07625 Filed 4-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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