CITE

    15 USC Sec. 78o-3                                           01/08/2008

EXPCITE

    TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
    CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES

HEAD

    Sec. 78o-3. Registered securities associations

STATUTE

    (a) Registration; application
      An association of brokers and dealers may be registered as a
    national securities association pursuant to subsection (b) of this
    section, or as an affiliated securities association pursuant to
    subsection (d) of this section, under the terms and conditions
    hereinafter provided in this section and in accordance with the
    provisions of section 78s(a) of this title, by filing with the
    Commission an application for registration in such form as the
    Commission, by rule, may prescribe containing the rules of the
    association and such other information and documents as the
    Commission, by rule, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in
    the public interest or for the protection of investors.
    (b) Determinations by Commission requisite to registration of
      applicant as national securities association
      An association of brokers and dealers shall not be registered as
    a national securities association unless the Commission determines
    that -
        (1) By reason of the number and geographical distribution of
      its members and the scope of their transactions, such association
      will be able to carry out the purposes of this section.
        (2) Such association is so organized and has the capacity to be
      able to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to comply, and
      (subject to any rule or order of the Commission pursuant to
      section 78q(d) or 78s(g)(2) of this title) to enforce compliance
      by its members and persons associated with its members, with the
      provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations thereunder,
      the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, and the
      rules of the association.
        (3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (g) of this
      section, the rules of the association provide that any registered
      broker or dealer may become a member of such association and any
      person may become associated with a member thereof.
        (4) The rules of the association assure a fair representation
      of its members in the selection of its directors and
      administration of its affairs and provide that one or more
      directors shall be representative of issuers and investors and
      not be associated with a member of the association, broker, or
      dealer.
        (5) The rules of the association provide for the equitable
      allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among
      members and issuers and other persons using any facility or
      system which the association operates or controls.
        (6) The rules of the association are 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 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; and are not designed to permit unfair
      discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers,
      to fix minimum profits, to impose any schedule or fix rates of
      commissions, allowances, discounts, or other fees to be charged
      by its members, or to regulate by virtue of any authority
      conferred by this chapter matters not related to the purposes of
      this chapter or the administration of the association.
        (7) The rules of the association provide that (subject to any
      rule or order of the Commission pursuant to section 78q(d) or
      78s(g)(2) of this title) its members and persons associated with
      its members shall be appropriately disciplined for violation of
      any provision of this chapter, the rules or regulations
      thereunder, the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking
      Board, or the rules of the association, by expulsion, suspension,
      limitation of activities, functions, and operations, fine,
      censure, being suspended or barred from being associated with a
      member, or any other fitting sanction.
        (8) The rules of the association are in accordance with the
      provisions of subsection (h) of this section, and, in general,
      provide a fair procedure for the disciplining of members and
      persons associated with members, the denial of membership to any
      person seeking membership therein, the barring of any person from
      becoming associated with a member thereof, and the prohibition or
      limitation by the association of any person with respect to
      access to services offered by the association or a member
      thereof.
        (9) The rules of the association do not impose any burden on
      competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the
      purposes of this chapter.
        (10) The requirements of subsection (c) of this section,
      insofar as these may be applicable, are satisfied.
        (11) The rules of the association include provisions governing
      the form and content of quotations relating to securities sold
      otherwise than on a national securities exchange which may be
      distributed or published by any member or person associated with
      a member, and the persons to whom such quotations may be
      supplied. Such rules relating to quotations shall be designed to
      produce fair and informative quotations, to prevent fictitious or
      misleading quotations, and to promote orderly procedures for
      collecting, distributing, and publishing quotations.
        (12) The rules of the association to promote just and equitable
      principles of trade, as required by paragraph (6), include rules
      to prevent members of the association from participating in any
      limited partnership rollup transaction (as such term is defined
      in paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 78n(h) of this title) unless
      such transaction was conducted in accordance with procedures
      designed to protect the rights of limited partners, including -
          (A) the right of dissenting limited partners to one of the
        following:
            (i) an appraisal and compensation;
            (ii) retention of a security under substantially the same
          terms and conditions as the original issue;
            (iii) approval of the limited partnership rollup
          transaction by not less than 75 percent of the outstanding
          securities of each of the participating limited partnerships;
            (iv) the use of a committee that is independent, as
          determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the
          association, of the general partner or sponsor, that has been
          approved by a majority of the outstanding securities of each
          of the participating partnerships, and that has such
          authority as is necessary to protect the interest of limited
          partners, including the authority to hire independent
          advisors, to negotiate with the general partner or sponsor on
          behalf of the limited partners, and to make a recommendation
          to the limited partners with respect to the proposed
          transaction; or
            (v) other comparable rights that are prescribed by rule by
          the association and that are designed to protect dissenting
          limited partners;
          (B) the right not to have their voting power unfairly reduced
        or abridged;
          (C) the right not to bear an unfair portion of the costs of a
        proposed limited partnership rollup transaction that is
        rejected; and
          (D) restrictions on the conversion of contingent interests or
        fees into non-contingent interests or fees and restrictions on
        the receipt of a non-contingent equity interest in exchange for
        fees for services which have not yet been provided.
      As used in this paragraph, the term "dissenting limited partner"
      means a person who, on the date on which soliciting material is
      mailed to investors, is a holder of a beneficial interest in a
      limited partnership that is the subject of a limited partnership
      rollup transaction, and who casts a vote against the transaction
      and complies with procedures established by the association,
      except that for purposes of an exchange or tender offer, such
      person shall file an objection in writing under the rules of the
      association during the period in which the offer is outstanding.
        (13) The rules of the association prohibit the authorization
      for quotation on an automated interdealer quotation system
      sponsored by the association of any security designated by the
      Commission as a national market system security resulting from a
      limited partnership rollup transaction (as such term is defined
      in paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 78n(h) of this title),
      unless such transaction was conducted in accordance with
      procedures designed to protect the rights of limited partners,
      including -
          (A) the right of dissenting limited partners to one of the
        following:
            (i) an appraisal and compensation;
            (ii) retention of a security under substantially the same
          terms and conditions as the original issue;
            (iii) approval of the limited partnership rollup
          transaction by not less than 75 percent of the outstanding
          securities of each of the participating limited partnerships;
            (iv) the use of a committee that is independent, as
          determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the
          association, of the general partner or sponsor, that has been
          approved by a majority of the outstanding securities of each
          of the participating partnerships, and that has such
          authority as is necessary to protect the interest of limited
          partners, including the authority to hire independent
          advisors, to negotiate with the general partner or sponsor on
          behalf of the limited partners, and to make a recommendation
          to the limited partners with respect to the proposed
          transaction; or
            (v) other comparable rights that are prescribed by rule by
          the association and that are designed to protect dissenting
          limited partners;
          (B) the right not to have their voting power unfairly reduced
        or abridged;
          (C) the right not to bear an unfair portion of the costs of a
        proposed limited partnership rollup transaction that is
        rejected; and
          (D) restrictions on the conversion of contingent interests or
        fees into non-contingent interests or fees and restrictions on
        the receipt of a non-contingent equity interest in exchange for
        fees for services which have not yet been provided.
      As used in this paragraph, the term "dissenting limited partner"
      means a person who, on the date on which soliciting material is
      mailed to investors, is a holder of a beneficial interest in a
      limited partnership that is the subject of a limited partnership
      rollup transaction, and who casts a vote against the transaction
      and complies with procedures established by the association,
      except that for purposes of an exchange or tender offer, such
      person shall file an objection in writing under the rules of the
      association during the period during which the offer is
      outstanding.
        (14) The rules of the association include provisions governing
      the sales, or offers of sales, of securities on the premises of
      any military installation to any member of the Armed Forces or a
      dependent thereof, which rules require -
          (A) the broker or dealer performing brokerage services to
        clearly and conspicuously disclose to potential investors -
            (i) that the securities offered are not being offered or
          provided by the broker or dealer on behalf of the Federal
          Government, and that its offer is not sanctioned,
          recommended, or encouraged by the Federal Government; and
            (ii) the identity of the registered broker-dealer offering
          the securities;
          (B) such broker or dealer to perform an appropriate
        suitability determination, including consideration of costs and
        knowledge about securities, prior to making a recommendation of
        a security to a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent
        thereof; and
          (C) that no person receive any referral fee or incentive
        compensation in connection with a sale or offer of sale of
        securities, unless such person is an associated person of a
        registered broker or dealer and is qualified pursuant to the
        rules of a self-regulatory organization.
    (c) National association rules; provision for registration of
      affiliated securities association
      The Commission may permit or require the rules of an association
    applying for registration pursuant to subsection (b) of this
    section, to provide for the admission of an association registered
    as an affiliated securities association pursuant to subsection (d)
    of this section, to participation in said applicant association as
    an affiliate thereof, under terms permitting such powers and
    responsibilities to such affiliate, and under such other
    appropriate terms and conditions, as may be provided by the rules
    of said applicant association, if such rules appear to the
    Commission to be necessary or appropriate in the public interest or
    for the protection of investors and to carry out the purposes of
    this section. The duties and powers of the Commission with respect
    to any national securities association or any affiliated securities
    association shall in no way be limited by reason of any such
    affiliation.
    (d) Registration as affiliated association; prerequisites;
      association rules
      An applicant association shall not be registered as an affiliated
    securities association unless it appears to the Commission that -
        (1) such association, notwithstanding that it does not satisfy
      the requirements set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of
      this section, will, forthwith upon the registration thereof, be
      admitted to affiliation with an association registered as a
      national securities association pursuant to subsection (b) of
      this section, in the manner and under the terms and conditions
      provided by the rules of said national securities association in
      accordance with subsection (c) of this section; and
        (2) such association and its rules satisfy the requirements set
      forth in paragraphs (2) to (10), inclusive, and paragraph
      (12),(!1) of subsection (b) of this section; except that in the
      case of any such association any restrictions upon membership
      therein of the type authorized by paragraph (3) of subsection (b)
      of this section shall not be less stringent than in the case of
      the national securities association with which such association
      is to be affiliated.
    (e) Dealings with nonmember professionals
      (1) The rules of a registered securities association may provide
    that no member thereof shall deal with any nonmember professional
    (as defined in paragraph (2) of this subsection) except at the same
    prices, for the same commissions or fees, and on the same terms and
    conditions as are by such member accorded to the general public.
      (2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term "nonmember
    professional" shall include (A) with respect to transactions in
    securities other than municipal securities, any registered broker
    or dealer who is not a member of any registered securities
    association, except such a broker or dealer who deals exclusively
    in commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, and commercial bills,
    and (B) with respect to transactions in municipal securities, any
    municipal securities dealer (other than a bank or division or
    department of a bank) who is not a member of any registered
    securities association and any municipal securities broker who is
    not a member of any such association.
      (3) Nothing in this subsection shall be so construed or applied
    as to prevent (A) any member of a registered securities association
    from granting to any other member of any registered securities
    association any dealer's discount, allowance, commission, or
    special terms, in connection with the purchase or sale of
    securities, or (B) any member of a registered securities
    association or any municipal securities dealer which is a bank or a
    division or department of a bank from granting to any member of any
    registered securities association or any such municipal securities
    dealer any dealer's discount, allowance, commission, or special
    terms in connection with the purchase or sale of municipal
    securities: Provided, however, That the granting of any such
    discount, allowance, commission, or special terms in connection
    with the purchase or sale of municipal securities shall be subject
    to rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board adopted
    pursuant to section 78o-4(b)(2)(K) of this title.
    (f) Transactions in municipal securities
      Nothing in subsection (b)(6) or (b)(11) of this section shall be
    construed to permit a registered securities association to make
    rules concerning any transaction by a registered broker or dealer
    in a municipal security.
    (g) Denial of membership
      (1) A registered securities association shall deny membership to
    any person who is not a registered broker or dealer.
      (2) A registered securities association may, and in cases in
    which the Commission, by order, directs as necessary or appropriate
    in the public interest or for the protection of investors shall,
    deny membership to any registered broker or dealer, and bar from
    becoming associated with a member any person, who is subject to a
    statutory disqualification. A registered securities association
    shall file notice with the Commission not less than thirty days
    prior to admitting any registered broker or dealer to membership or
    permitting any person to become associated with a member, if the
    association knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have
    known, that such broker or dealer or person was subject to a
    statutory disqualification. The notice shall be in such form and
    contain such information as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe
    as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the
    protection of investors.
      (3)(A) A registered securities association may deny membership
    to, or condition the membership of, a registered broker or dealer
    if (i) such broker or dealer does not meet such standards of
    financial responsibility or operational capability or such broker
    or dealer or any natural person associated with such broker or
    dealer does not meet such standards of training, experience, and
    competence as are prescribed by the rules of the association or
    (ii) such broker or dealer or person associated with such broker or
    dealer has engaged and there is a reasonable likelihood he will
    again engage in acts or practices inconsistent with just and
    equitable principles of trade. A registered securities association
    may examine and verify the qualifications of an applicant to become
    a member and the natural persons associated with such an applicant
    in accordance with procedures established by the rules of the
    association.
      (B) A registered securities association may bar a natural person
    from becoming associated with a member or condition the association
    of a natural person with a member if such natural person (i) does
    not meet such standards of training, experience, and competence as
    are prescribed by the rules of the association or (ii) has engaged
    and there is a reasonable likelihood he will again engage in acts
    or practices inconsistent with just and equitable principles of
    trade. A registered securities association may examine and verify
    the qualifications of an applicant to become a person associated
    with a member in accordance with procedures established by the
    rules of the association and require a natural person associated
    with a member, or any class of such natural persons, to be
    registered with the association in accordance with procedures so
    established.
      (C) A registered securities association may bar any person from
    becoming associated with a member if such person does not agree (i)
    to supply the association with such information with respect to its
    relationship and dealings with the member as may be specified in
    the rules of the association and (ii) to permit examination of its
    books and records to verify the accuracy of any information so
    supplied.
      (D) Nothing in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of this paragraph
    shall be construed to permit a registered securities association to
    deny membership to or condition the membership of, or bar any
    person from becoming associated with or condition the association
    of any person with, a broker or dealer that engages exclusively in
    transactions in municipal securities.
      (4) A registered securities association may deny membership to a
    registered broker or dealer not engaged in a type of business in
    which the rules of the association require members to be engaged:
    Provided, however, That no registered securities association may
    deny membership to a registered broker or dealer by reason of the
    amount of such type of business done by such broker or dealer or
    the other types of business in which he is engaged.
    (h) Discipline of registered securities association members and
      persons associated with members; summary proceedings
      (1) In any proceeding by a registered securities association to
    determine whether a member or person associated with a member
    should be disciplined (other than a summary proceeding pursuant to
    paragraph (3) of this subsection) the association shall bring
    specific charges, notify such member or person of, and give him an
    opportunity to defend against, such charges, and keep a record. A
    determination by the association to impose a disciplinary sanction
    shall be supported by a statement setting forth -
        (A) any act or practice in which such member or person
      associated with a member has been found to have engaged, or which
      such member or person has been found to have omitted;
        (B) the specific provision of this chapter, the rules or
      regulations thereunder, the rules of the Municipal Securities
      Rulemaking Board, or the rules of the association which any such
      act or practice, or omission to act, is deemed to violate; and
        (C) the sanction imposed and the reason therefor.
      (2) In any proceeding by a registered securities association to
    determine whether a person shall be denied membership, barred from
    becoming associated with a member, or prohibited or limited with
    respect to access to services offered by the association or a
    member thereof (other than a summary proceeding pursuant to
    paragraph (3) of this subsection), the association shall notify
    such person of and give him an opportunity to be heard upon, the
    specific grounds for denial, bar, or prohibition or limitation
    under consideration and keep a record. A determination by the
    association to deny membership, bar a person from becoming
    associated with a member, or prohibit or limit a person with
    respect to access to services offered by the association or a
    member thereof shall be supported by a statement setting forth the
    specific grounds on which the denial, bar, or prohibition or
    limitation is based.
      (3) A registered securities association may summarily (A) suspend
    a member or person associated with a member who has been and is
    expelled or suspended from any self-regulatory organization or
    barred or suspended from being associated with a member of any self-
    regulatory organization, (B) suspend a member who is in such
    financial or operating difficulty that the association determines
    and so notifies the Commission that the member cannot be permitted
    to continue to do business as a member with safety to investors,
    creditors, other members, or the association, or (C) limit or
    prohibit any person with respect to access to services offered by
    the association if subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph is
    applicable to such person or, in the case of a person who is not a
    member, if the association determines that such person does not
    meet the qualification requirements or other prerequisites for such
    access and such person cannot be permitted to continue to have such
    access with safety to investors, creditors, members, or the
    association. Any person aggrieved by any such summary action shall
    be promptly afforded an opportunity for a hearing by the
    association in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) or
    (2) of this subsection. The Commission, by order, may stay any such
    summary action on its own motion or upon application by any person
    aggrieved thereby, if the Commission determines summarily or after
    notice and opportunity for hearing (which hearing may consist
    solely of the submission of affidavits or presentation of oral
    arguments) that such stay is consistent with the public interest
    and the protection of investors.
    (i) Obligation to maintain registration, disciplinary, and other
      data
      (1) Maintenance of system to respond to inquiries
        A registered securities association shall -
          (A) establish and maintain a system for collecting and
        retaining registration information;
          (B) establish and maintain a toll-free telephone listing, and
        a readily accessible electronic or other process, to receive
        and promptly respond to inquiries regarding -
            (i) registration information on its members and their
          associated persons; and
            (ii) registration information on the members and their
          associated persons of any registered national securities
          exchange that uses the system described in subparagraph (A)
          for the registration of its members and their associated
          persons; and
          (C) adopt rules governing the process for making inquiries
        and the type, scope, and presentation of information to be
        provided in response to such inquiries in consultation with any
        registered national securities exchange providing information
        pursuant to subparagraph (B)(ii).
      (2) Recovery of costs
        A registered securities association may charge persons making
      inquiries described in paragraph (1)(B), other than individual
      investors, reasonable fees for responses to such inquiries.
      (3) Process for disputed information
        Each registered securities association shall adopt rules
      establishing an administrative process for disputing the accuracy
      of information provided in response to inquiries under this
      subsection in consultation with any registered national
      securities exchange providing information pursuant to paragraph
      (1)(B)(ii).
      (4) Limitation on liability
        A registered securities association, or an exchange reporting
      information to such an association, shall not have any liability
      to any person for any actions taken or omitted in good faith
      under this subsection.
      (5) Definition
        For purposes of this subsection, the term "registration
      information" means the information reported in connection with
      the registration or licensing of brokers and dealers and their
      associated persons, including disciplinary actions, regulatory,
      judicial, and arbitration proceedings, and other information
      required by law, or exchange or association rule, and the source
      and status of such information.
    (j) Registration for sales of private securities offerings
      A registered securities association shall create a limited
    qualification category for any associated person of a member who
    effects sales as part of a primary offering of securities not
    involving a public offering, pursuant to section 77c(b), 77d(2), or
    77d(6) of this title and the rules and regulations thereunder, and
    shall deem qualified in such limited qualification category,
    without testing, any bank employee who, in the six month period
    preceding November 12, 1999, engaged in effecting such sales.
    (k) Limited purpose national securities association
      (1) Regulation of members with respect to security futures
        products
        A futures association registered under section 21 of title 7
      shall be a registered national securities association for the
      limited purpose of regulating the activities of members who are
      registered as brokers or dealers in security futures products
      pursuant to section 78o(b)(11) of this title.
      (2) Requirements for registration
        Such a securities association shall -
          (A) be so organized and have the capacity to carry out the
        purposes of the securities laws applicable to security futures
        products and to comply, and (subject to any rule or order of
        the Commission pursuant to section 78s(g)(2) of this title) to
        enforce compliance by its members and persons associated with
        its members, with the provisions of the securities laws
        applicable to security futures products, the rules and
        regulations thereunder, and its rules;
          (B) have rules that -
            (i) are designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative
          acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles
          of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the
          public interest, including rules governing sales practices
          and the advertising of security futures products reasonably
          comparable to those of other national securities associations
          registered pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that
          are applicable to security futures products; and
            (ii) are not designed to regulate by virtue of any
          authority conferred by this chapter matters not related to
          the purposes of this chapter or the administration of the
          association;
          (C) have rules that provide that (subject to any rule or
        order of the Commission pursuant to section 78s(g)(2) of this
        title) its members and persons associated with its members
        shall be appropriately disciplined for violation of any
        provision of the securities laws applicable to security futures
        products, the rules or regulations thereunder, or the rules of
        the association, by expulsion, suspension, limitation of
        activities, functions, and operations, fine, censure, being
        suspended or barred from being associated with a member, or any
        other fitting sanction; and
          (D) have rules that ensure that members and natural persons
        associated with members meet such standards of training,
        experience, and competence necessary to effect transactions in
        security futures products and are tested for their knowledge of
        securities and security futures products.
      (3) Exemption from rule change submission
        Such a securities association shall be exempt from submitting
      proposed rule changes pursuant to section 78s(b) of this title,
      except that -
          (A) the association shall file proposed rule changes related
        to higher margin levels, fraud or manipulation, recordkeeping,
        reporting, listing standards, or decimal pricing for security
        futures products, sales practices for, advertising of, or
        standards of training, experience, competence, or other
        qualifications for security futures products for persons who
        effect transactions in security futures products, or rules
        effectuating the association's obligation to enforce the
        securities laws pursuant to section 78s(b)(7) of this title;
          (B) the association shall file pursuant to sections 78s(b)(1)
        and 78s(b)(2) of this title proposed rule changes related to
        margin, except for changes resulting in higher margin levels;
        and
          (C) the association shall file pursuant to section 78s(b)(1)
        of this title proposed rule changes that have been abrogated by
        the Commission pursuant to section 78s(b)(7)(C) of this title.
      (4) Other exemptions
        Such a securities association shall be exempt from and shall
      not be required to enforce compliance by its members, and its
      members shall not, solely with respect to their transactions
      effected in security futures products, be required to comply,
      with the following provisions of this chapter and the rules
      thereunder:
          (A) Section 78h of this title.
          (B) Subsections (b)(1), (b)(3), (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(8),
        (b)(10), (b)(11), (b)(12), (b)(13), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g),
        (h), and (i) of this section.
          (C) Subsections (d), (f), and (k) of section 78q of this
        title.
          (D) Subsections (a), (f), and (h) of section 78s of this
        title.
    (l) Rules to avoid duplicative regulation of dual registrants
      Consistent with this chapter, each national securities
    association registered pursuant to subsection (a) of this section
    shall issue such rules as are necessary to avoid duplicative or
    conflicting rules applicable to any broker or dealer registered
    with the Commission pursuant to section 78o(b) of this title
    (except paragraph (11) thereof), that is also registered with the
    Commodity Futures Trading Commission pursuant to section 6f(a) of
    title 7 (except paragraph (2) thereof), with respect to the
    application of -
        (1) rules of such national securities association of the type
      specified in section 78o(c)(3)(B) of this title involving
      security futures products; and
        (2) similar rules of national securities associations
      registered pursuant to subsection (k) of this section and
      national securities exchanges registered pursuant to section
      78f(g) of this title involving security futures products.
    (m) Procedures and rules for security future products
      A national securities association registered pursuant to
    subsection (a) of this section shall, not later than 8 months after
    December 21, 2000, implement the procedures specified in section
    78f(h)(5)(A) of this title and adopt the rules specified in
    subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 78f(h)(5) of this title.

SOURCE

    (June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 15A, as added June 25, 1938,
    ch. 677, Sec. 1, 52 Stat. 1070; amended Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7,
    Aug. 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 574; Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12, June 4, 1975,
    89 Stat. 127; Pub. L. 99-571, title I, Sec. 102(g), Oct. 28, 1986,
    100 Stat. 3218; Pub. L. 101-429, title V, Sec. 509, Oct. 15, 1990,
    104 Stat. 957; Pub. L. 103-202, title I, Sec. 106(b)(1), title III,
    Sec. 303(a), (c), Dec. 17, 1993, 107 Stat. 2350, 2364, 2366; Pub.
    L. 106-102, title II, Sec. 203, Nov. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1391; Pub.
    L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Secs. 203(c), 206(j), (k)(1)],
    Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-422, 2763A-433; Pub. L. 109-
    290, Secs. 5, 6, Sept. 29, 2006, 120 Stat. 1319, 1320.)

REFERENCES IN TEXT

      This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2), (6), (7), (9),
    (h)(1)(B), (k)(2)(B)(ii), (4), and (l), was in the original "this
    title". See References in Text note set out under section 78a of
    this title.
      Paragraph (12), of subsection (b) of this section, referred to in
    subsec. (d)(2), was omitted in the general amendment of subsec. (b)
    by Pub. L. 94-29, see par. (11) of subsec. (b). A new par. (12) was
    added by Pub. L. 103-302, Sec. 303(a).

AMENDMENTS

      2006 - Subsec. (b)(14). Pub. L. 109-290, Sec. 5, added par. (14).
      Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 109-290, Sec. 6, inserted heading and
    amended text of subsec. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, text
    read as follows: "A registered securities association shall, within
    one year from October 15, 1990, (1) establish and maintain a toll-
    free telephone listing to receive inquiries regarding disciplinary
    actions involving its members and their associated persons, and (2)
    promptly respond to such inquiries in writing. Such association may
    charge persons, other than individual investors, reasonable fees
    for written responses to such inquiries. Such an association shall
    not have any liability to any person for any actions taken or
    omitted in good faith under this paragraph."
      2000 - Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec.
    203(c)], added subsec. (k).
      Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec.
    206(j)], added subsec. (l).
      Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec.
    206(k)(1)], added subsec. (m).
      1999 - Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 106-102 added subsec. (j).
      1993 - Subsec. (b)(12). Pub. L. 103-202, Sec. 303(a), added par.
    (12).
      Subsec. (b)(13). Pub. L. 103-202, Sec. 303(c), added par. (13).
      Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103-202, Sec. 106(b)(1)(A), redesignated
    par. (3) as entire subsec. (f) and struck out pars. (1) and (2)
    which read as follows:
      "(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection,
    nothing in this section shall be construed to apply with respect to
    any transaction by a registered broker or dealer in any exempted
    security.
      "(2) A registered securities association may adopt and implement
    rules applicable to members of such association (A) to enforce
    compliance by registered brokers and dealers with applicable
    provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations
    thereunder, (B) to provide that its members and persons associated
    with its members shall be appropriately disciplined, in accordance
    with subsections (b)(7), (b)(8), and (h) of this section, for
    violation of applicable provisions of this chapter and the rules
    and regulations thereunder, (C) to provide for reasonable
    inspection and examination of the books and records of registered
    brokers and dealers, (D) to provide for the matters described in
    paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(4), and (b)(5) of this section, (E) to
    implement the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, and (F)
    to prohibit fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, and false
    advertising."
      Subsec. (g)(3)(D). Pub. L. 103-202, Sec. 106(b)(1)(B)(i),
    substituted "transactions in municipal securities" for
    "transactions in exempted securities".
      Subsec. (g)(4), (5). Pub. L. 103-202, Sec. 106(b)(1)(B)(ii),
    (iii), redesignated par. (5) as (4) and struck out former par. (4)
    which allowed a registered securities association to deny
    membership to, condition the membership of, or to otherwise bar
    association with, the association, under circumstances where a
    government securities broker or dealer or other person violated
    financial responsibility rules adopted under section 78o-5(b)(1)(A)
    of this title, or where it appeared likely that such person or
    entity had or would engage in conduct which would subject such
    person or entity to sanctions under section 78o-5(c) of this title.
      1990 - Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 101-429 added subsec. (i).
      1986 - Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(g)(1), amended
    subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (f) read as
    follows: "Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply with
    respect to any transaction by a broker or dealer in any exempted
    security."
      Subsec. (g)(3)(D). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(g)(2)(A), added
    subpar. (D).
      Subsec. (g)(4), (5). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(g)(2)(B), (C),
    added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).
      1975 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(2), struck out "with
    the Commission" after "registered", inserted reference to section
    78s(a) of this title, substituted provisions covering an
    application for registration in the form prescribed by Commission
    rule containing the rules of the association and such other
    information and documents as the Commission prescribes as necessary
    or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
    investors for provisions covering a statement in the form
    prescribed by the Commission setting forth specified information
    and accompanied by specified documents, and struck out provision
    that registration not be construed as a waiver of constitutional
    rights or as a waiver of the right to contest the validity of
    Commission rules or regulations.
      Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(2), amended subsec. (b)
    generally, to conform its provisions concerning the registration
    and regulation of national and affiliated securities associations
    to those covering the registration and regulation of national
    securities exchanges contained in section 78f of this title and
    inserted provisions necessary to accommodate the creation of the
    Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and to implement its
    purposes.
      Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(3), redesignated subsec. (i)
    as (e) and in subsec. (e) as so redesignated substituted "nonmember
    professional" for "nonmember broker or dealer" in par. (1),
    substituted "term 'nonmember professional' shall include (A) with
    respect to transactions in securities other than municipal
    securities, any registered broker or dealer who is not a member of
    any registered securities association, except such a broker or
    dealer who deals exclusively in commercial paper, bankers'
    acceptances, and commercial bills" for "term 'nonmember broker or
    dealer' shall include any broker or dealer who makes use of the
    mails or of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to
    effect any transaction in, or to induce the purchase or sale of,
    any security otherwise than on a national securities exchange, who
    is not a member of any registered securities association, except a
    broker or dealer who deals exclusively in commercial paper,
    bankers' acceptances, or commercial bills" and added cl. (B) in
    par. (2), and, in par. (3), designated existing provisions as cl.
    (A) and added cl. (B). Former subsec. (e), covering the grant and
    denial of registration and the revocation of affiliated association
    registration, was struck out. See section 78s of this title.
      Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(3), redesignated subsec. (m)
    as (f). Former subsec. (f), covering withdrawal from registration,
    was struck out. See section 78s of this title.
      Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(3), (4), added subsec. (g).
    Former subsec. (g), covering review by the Commission of adverse
    actions against association members and stays of such actions, was
    struck out. See section 78s of this title.
      Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(3), (4), added subsec. (h).
    Former subsec. (h), covering the Commission's action upon findings,
    was struck out. See section 78s of this title.
      Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(3), redesignated subsec. (i)
    as (e) and amended subsec. (e) as so redesignated.
      Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(3), struck out
    subsecs. (j) to (l) which covered the filing of changes or
    additions to association rules and current information, the
    abrogation and alteration of association rules and supplements to
    association rules, the suspension of an association or its members,
    the revocation of registration, the expulsion of members, and the
    removal of officers or directors. See section 78s of this title.
      Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(3), redesignated subsec. (m)
    as (f).
      Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 12(3), struck out subsec. (n)
    which directed that provisions of this section prevail in the event
    of any conflict between this section and any other law of the
    United States in force on June 25, 1938.
      1964 - Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(1),
    substituted a period for the semicolon at end of pars. (1) and (2).
      Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(1), (2), substituted a
    period for the semicolon at end of par. (3), struck out "of" before
    "any means", substituted "paragraph (4) or (5) of this subsection,
    or a rule of the association permitted under this paragraph. The
    rules" for "paragraph (4) of this subsection: Provided, That the
    rules", and inserted provision authorizing a registered securities
    association to adopt rules under which it might exclude from
    membership persons who had been suspended or expelled from a
    national securities exchange or who were barred or suspended from
    being associated with all brokers or dealers who are members of
    such an exchange for violation of exchange rules.
      Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(1), (3), substituted a
    period for the semicolon at end of par. (4), deleted from text
    preceding cl. (A) the language "or (2) any partner, officer,
    director, or branch manager of such broker or dealer (or any person
    occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or any
    person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by such
    broker or dealer, whether prior or subsequent to becoming such",
    inserted in cl. (A) "or has been and is barred or suspended from
    being associated with all brokers or dealers which are members of
    such exchange", inserted in cl. (B) provision for suspension for
    period not exceeding twelve months or barring or suspending the
    broker or dealer from being associated with a broker or dealer,
    inserted at the beginning of cl. (C) "whether prior or subsequent
    to becoming a broker or dealer," (derived from former cl. (1) of
    this paragraph) and added to cl. (C) provision conferring
    jurisdiction upon the Commission, an exchange, or a registered
    securities association to determine whether an individual is the
    cause of disciplinary action taken by them against a broker or a
    dealer, and added cl. (D).
      Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(4), added par. (5).
    Former par. (5) redesignated (6).
      Subsec. (b)(6) to (8). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(1), (4),
    substituted periods for semicolons at end of paragraphs, and
    redesignated former pars. (5) to (7) as (6) to (8), respectively.
    Former pars. (6) to (8) redesignated (7) to (9), respectively.
      Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(1), (4), (5),
    substituted a period for the semicolon at the end, redesignated
    former par. (8) as (9), and inserted "and persons associated with
    its members" and "or being suspended or barred from being
    associated with all members,", respectively. Former par. (9)
    redesignated (10).
      Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(4), (6), redesignated
    former par. (9) as (10), and inserted in paragraph preceding cl.
    (A) "and persons associated with members", "or the barring of any
    person from being associated with a member", "or other persons",
    and "or person", substituted a period for a comma at end of cls.
    (A) and (B) and a period for ", and" at end of cl. (C), inserted in
    cl. (A) "or other person" in two places and in concluding sentence
    "or whether any person shall be barred from being associated with a
    member", "or person", "or bar" in two places, and substituted a
    period for "; and", respectively. Former par. (10) redesignated
    (11).
      Subsec. (b)(11). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(4), redesignated
    former par. (10) as (11).
      Subsec. (b)(12). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(7), added par. (12).
      Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(a)(7), inserted effective date provisions
    for application of subsec. (b) prior to its amendment and since its
    amendment with July 1, 1964 as the guiding date.
      Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(b), substituted "(10)" for
    "(9)" and inserted "and paragraph (12)," after ", inclusive,".
      Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(c), provided that
    disciplinary action taken by a registered securities association
    against a person associated with a member will be reviewable by the
    Commission, shortened the period for review by an aggrieved person
    from sixty days or within such longer period as the Commission may
    determine to thirty days or within such longer period as the
    Commission may determine, authorized the Commission, after notice
    and opportunity for hearing on the question of stay to order no
    stay of action of a registered securities association pending the
    Commission's decision on review, and authorized the Commission to
    limit the hearing on the question of stay to affidavits and oral
    arguments.
      Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(d), made the procedures and
    the Commission's authority in reviewing disciplinary action by a
    registered securities association against members and in reviewing
    association action in denying membership also applicable to
    Commission review of disciplinary action against persons associated
    with members and to the barring by an association of any person
    from being associated with a member.
      Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(e), inserted ", or with
    such modifications of such alteration or supplement as it deems
    necessary" after "in the manner theretofore requested",
    redesignated cls. (1) to (4) as (A) to (D), respectively, and
    inserted in cl. (A) "or the barring from being associated with a
    member" and "or persons associated with members, or the
    qualifications required for members or natural persons associated
    with members or any class thereof".
      Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 7(f), substituted a period for
    a semicolon at end of par. (1) and inserted in par. (2) preceding
    cl. (A) ", or to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve months
    or to bar any person from being associated with a member thereof,".
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1999 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by Pub. L. 106-102 effective at the end of the 18-month
    period beginning on Nov. 12, 1999, see section 209 of Pub. L. 106-
    102, set out as a note under section 1828 of Title 12, Banks and
    Banking.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by section 303(a), (c) of Pub. L. 103-202 effective 12
    months after Dec. 17, 1993, with provisions for rulemaking
    authority and review of filings prior to effective date, see
    section 304(a) of Pub. L. 103-202, set out as a note under section
    78f of this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by Pub. L. 101-429 effective Oct. 15, 1990, with
    provisions relating to civil penalties and accounting and
    disgorgement, see section 1(c)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 101-429, set out
    in a note under section 77g of this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by Pub. L. 99-571 effective 270 days after Oct. 28,
    1986, see section 401 of Pub. L. 99-571, set out as an Effective
    Date note under section 78o-5 of this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by Pub. L. 94-29 effective 180 days after June 4, 1975,
    see section 31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29, set out as a note under section
    78b of this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1964 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by Pub. L. 88-467 effective Aug. 20, 1964, see section
    13 of Pub. L. 88-467, set out as a note under section 78c of this
    title.
                      CONSTRUCTION OF 1993 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by section 106(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103-202 not to be
    construed to govern initial issuance of any public debt obligation
    or to grant any authority to (or extend any authority of) the
    Securities and Exchange Commission, any appropriate regulatory
    agency, or a self-regulatory organization to prescribe any
    procedure, term, or condition of such initial issuance, to
    promulgate any rule or regulation governing such initial issuance,
    or to otherwise regulate in any manner such initial issuance, see
    section 111 of Pub. L. 103-202, set out as a note under section 78o-
    5 of this title.
      Amendment by section 303(a), (c) of Pub. L. 103-202 not to limit
    authority of Securities and Exchange Commission, a registered
    securities association or a national securities exchange under any
    provision of this chapter, or preclude the Commission or such
    association or exchange from imposing a remedy or procedure
    required to be imposed under such amendment, see section 304(b) of
    Pub. L. 103-202, set out in an Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
    note under section 78f of this title.

TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS

      For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
    with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
    Plan No. 10 of 1950, Secs. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
    64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.

FOOTNOTE

    (!1) See References in Text note below.
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