Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act (17 CFR 270.12b-1) permits a mutual fund to bear
expenses associated with the distribution of its shares, provided
that the fund complies with certain requirements. Rule 12b-1
requires, among other things, that the fund adopt a written plan
describing all material aspects of the proposed financing of
distribution ("rule 12b-1 plan"). The rule 12b-1 plan must be
approved by the fund's board of directors, including the
independent directors (as described in the rule), and, if the rule
12b-1 plan is being adopted after public offering of the fund's
voting securities, by a majority of the fund's outstanding voting
securities.
US Code:
15 USC 80a-12(b) Name of Law: Investment Company Act of
1940
The estimated annual burden
hours for funds with rule 12b-1 plans decreased by 19,125 hours,
from 159,375 to 140,250 hours. This is due to a decrease in the
number of mutual fund families that have at least one fund that
charges rule 12b-1 fees. The estimated total annual cost burden
increased $6594, from $96,522 to $103,116. The increase in cost is
due to inflation.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.