Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon written request, copies available from: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549-0213.

Extension: Rule 12b-1, SEC File No. 270-188, OMB Control No. 3235-0212.

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) is soliciting comments on the collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval.

Rule 12b-1 (17 CFR 270.12b-1) permits a registered open-end investment company (“mutual fund”) to distribute its own shares and pay the expenses of distribution out of the mutual fund's assets provided, among other things, that the mutual fund adopts a written plan (“Rule 12b-1 plan”) and has in writing any agreements relating to the implementation of the Rule 12b-1 plan. The rule in part requires that (i) the adoption or material amendment of a Rule 12b-1 plan be approved by the mutual fund's directors and shareholders; (ii) the board review quarterly reports of amounts spent under the Rule 12b-1 plan; and (iii) the board consider continuation of the Rule 12b-1 plan at least annually. Rule 12b-1 also requires funds relying on the rule to preserve for six years, the first two years in an easily accessible place, copies of the Rule 12b-1 plan, related agreements and reports, as well as minutes of board meetings that describe the factors considered and the basis for adopting or continuing a Rule 12b-1 plan.

The board and shareholder approval requirements of Rule 12b-1 are designed to ensure that fund shareholders and directors receive adequate information to evaluate and approve a 12b-1 plan. The requirement of quarterly reporting to the board is designed to ensure that the 12b-1 plan continues to benefit the fund and its shareholders. The recordkeeping requirements of the rule are necessary to enable Commission staff to oversee compliance with the rule.

Based on information filed with the Commission by funds, Commission staff estimates that there are approximately 6,871 mutual fund portfolios that have at least one share class subject to a rule 12b-1 plan. However, many of these portfolios are part of an affiliated group of funds known as a “mutual fund family” that is overseen by a common board of directors. Although the board must review and approve the 12b-1 plan for each fund separately, we have allocated the costs and hourly burden related to rule 12b-1 based on the number of fund families that have at least one fund that charges 12b-1 fees, rather than on the total number of mutual fund portfolios that individually have a 12b-1 plan. Based on information filed with the Commission, the staff estimates that there are approximately 371 fund families with common boards of directors that have at least one fund with a 12b-1 plan.

Based on conversations with fund representatives, Commission staff estimates that for each of the 371 mutual fund families with a portfolio that has a rule 12b-1 plan, the average annual burden of complying with the rule is 425 hours. This estimate takes into account the time needed to prepare quarterly reports to the board of directors, the board's consideration of those reports, and the board's annual consideration of whether to continue the plan. We therefore estimate that the total hourly burden per year for all funds to comply with current information collection requirements under rule 12b-1, is 157,675 hours (371 fund families × 425 hours per fund family = 157,675 hours) over the three year period for which we are requesting approval of the information collection burden).

If a currently operating fund seeks to (i) adopt a new Rule 12b-1 plan or (ii) materially increase the amount it spends for distribution under its Rule 12b-1 plan, Rule 12b-1 requires that the fund obtain shareholder approval. As a consequence, the fund will incur the cost of a proxy. Based on conversations with fund industry representatives, Commission staff estimates that approximately three funds per year prepare a proxy in connection with the adoption or material amendment of a Rule 12b-1 plan. The staff further estimates that the cost of each fund's proxy is $30,000. Thus the total annual cost burden of Rule 12b-1 to the fund industry is $90,000 (3 funds requiring a proxy × $30,000 per proxy).

The collections of information required by Rule 12b-1 are necessary to obtain the benefits of the rule. Notices to the Commission will not be kept confidential. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number.

Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 days of this publication.

Please direct your written comments to Charles Boucher, Director/CIO, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312; or send an e-mail to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.