Expansion of Short-Form Registration To Include Companies With Non-Voting Common Equity

The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission') today is adopting amendments to Forms S-3, F-2 and F-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act') to include non-voting as well as voting common equity in the computation of the $75 million aggregate market value of common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant. The Commission also is adopting conforming amendments to include non- voting as well as voting common equity in calculating the float used in determining small business issuer status and in stating the amount of the public float on Forms 10-K and 10-KSB under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act').