Rulemaking for EDGAR System; Mandatory Electronic Submission of Applications for Orders Under the Investment Company Act and Filings Made Pursuant to Regulation E

We propose several amendments to rules regarding our Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system. Specifically, we propose to amend our rules to make mandatory the electronic submission on EDGAR of applications for orders under any section of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Investment Company Act') and Regulation E filings of small business investment companies and business development companies. We also propose to amend the electronic filing rules to make the temporary hardship exemption unavailable for submission of applications under the Investment Company Act. Finally, we propose amendments to Rule 0-2 under the Investment Company Act that would eliminate the requirement that certain documents accompanying an application be notarized and the requirement that applicants submit a draft notice as an exhibit to an application.