SEC Proposes Amendments to EDGAR System Rules Regarding Mandatory Identification of Investment Company Series and Classes; Additions to Mandatory Electronic Filings; and Technical Revisions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2004-37

Washington, D.C., March 17, 2004 - On March 16, the Commission issued a release proposing to expand the information that it requires certain investment company filers to submit electronically through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system and to make certain technical changes to that system.

Under the proposals, certain open-end management investment companies and insurance company separate accounts would have to identify in their EDGAR submissions information relating to their series and classes (or contracts, in the case of separate accounts).

In addition, the proposals would add several investment company filings to the list of those that must be filed electronically (filings under Section 17(g) of the Investment Company Act, such as the registrant's fidelity bond under Investment Company Act Rule 17g-1(g)(1), and claims and settlements filed under Rule 17g-1(g)(2) and (3), respectively; litigation material filed under Section 33; and sales literature filed by non-NASD members with the Commission under Section 24(b)).

The proposals would also make several minor and technical amendments to the rules governing the electronic submission of filings through EDGAR.

Comments on the proposals should be submitted to the Commission within 60 days of the date of their publication in the Federal Register.