Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) ^[1] of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) ^[2] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[3] notice is hereby given that on April 20, 2021, New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes extending the expiration date of the temporary amendments to Rules 9261 and 9830 as set forth in SR-NYSE-2020-76 from April 30, 2021, to August 31, 2021, in conformity with recent changes by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). The proposed rule change would not make any changes to the text of NYSE Rules 9261 and 9830. The proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's website at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Exchange proposes extending the expiration date of the temporary amendments as set forth in SR-NYSE-2020-76 ^[4] to Rules 9261 (Evidence and Procedure in Hearing) and 9830 (Hearing) from April 30, 2021, to August 31, 2021 to harmonize with recent changes by FINRA to extend the expiration date of the temporary amendments to its Rules 9261 and 9830. SR-NYSE-2020-76 temporarily granted to the Chief or Deputy Chief Hearing Officer the authority to order that hearings be conducted by video conference if warranted by public health risks posed by in-person hearings during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed rule change would not make any changes to the text of Exchange Rules 9261 and 9830.^[5]

Background

In 2013, the NYSE adopted disciplinary rules that are, with certain exceptions, substantially the same as the FINRA Rule 8000 Series and Rule 9000 Series, and which set forth rules for conducting investigations and enforcement actions.^[6] The NYSE ( printed page 22506) disciplinary rules were implemented on July 1, 2013.^[7]

In adopting disciplinary rules modeled on FINRA's rules, the NYSE adopted the hearing and evidentiary processes set forth in Rule 9261 and in Rule 9830 for hearings in matters involving temporary and permanent cease and desist orders under the Rule 9800 Series. As adopted, the text of Rule 9261 is identical to the counterpart FINRA rule. Rule 9830 is substantially the same as FINRA's rule, except for conforming and technical amendments.^[8]

In response to the COVID-19 global health crisis and the corresponding need to restrict in-person activities, on August 31, 2020, FINRA filed with the Commission a proposed rule change for immediate effectiveness, SR-FINRA-2020-027, which allowed FINRA's Office of Hearing Officers (“OHO”) to conduct hearings, on a temporary basis, by video conference, if warranted by the current COVID-19-related public health risks posed by an in-person hearing. Among the rules FINRA amended were Rules 9261 and 9830.^[9]

Given that FINRA and OHO administers disciplinary hearings on the Exchange's behalf, and that the public health concerns addressed by FINRA's amendments apply equally to Exchange disciplinary hearings, on September 15, 2020, the Exchange filed to temporarily amend Rule 9261 and Rule 9830 to permit FINRA to conduct virtual hearings on its behalf.^[10] In December 2020, FINRA filed a proposed rule change, SR-FINRA-2020-042, to extend the expiration date of the temporary amendments in SR-FINRA-2020-027 from December 31, 2020, to April 30, 2021.^[11] On December 22, 2020, the Exchange similarly filed to extend the temporary amendments to Rule 9261 and Rule 9830 to April 30, 2021, after which the temporary amendments will expire absent another proposed rule change filing by the Exchange.^[12]

While there are signs of improvement, FINRA has determined that the COVID-19 conditions necessitating these temporary amendments persist and, based on its assessment of current COVID-19 conditions and the lack of certainty as to when COVID-19-related health concerns and corresponding restrictions will meaningfully subside, that there is a continued need for this temporary relief for several months beyond April 30, 2021. On April 1, 2021, FINRA accordingly filed to extend the expiration date of the temporary rule amendments to, among other rules, FINRA Rule 9261 and 9830 from April 30, 2021, to August 31, 2021.^[13]

Proposed Rule Change

Consistent with FINRA's recent proposal, the Exchange proposes to extend the expiration date of the temporary rule amendments to NYSE Rules 9261 and 9830 as set forth in SR-NYSE-2020-76 from April 30, 2021, to August 31, 2021.

As set forth in SR-FINRA 2021-006, while there are signs of improvement, the COVID-19 conditions necessitating these temporary amendments persist and, based on FINRA's assessment of current COVID-19 conditions and the lack of certainty as to when COVID-19-related health concerns and corresponding restrictions will meaningfully subside, FINRA has determined that there is a continued need for this temporary relief for several months beyond April 30, 2021.^[14] FINRA accordingly proposed to extend the expiration date of the temporary rule amendments from April 30, 2021, to August 31, 2021.

The Exchange proposes to similarly extend the expiration date of the temporary rule amendments to NYSE Rules 9261 and 9830 as set forth in SR-NYSE-2020-76 from April 30, 2021, to August 31, 2021. The Exchange agrees with FINRA that the COVID-19 conditions necessitating these temporary amendments persist and, for the reasons set forth in SR-FINRA-2021-006, that there is a continued need for this temporary relief for several months beyond April 30, 2021. The proposed change would permit OHO to continue to assess, based on critical COVID-19 data and criteria and the guidance of health and security consultants, whether an in-person hearing would compromise the health and safety of the hearing participants such that the hearing should proceed by video conference. As noted in SR-FINRA-2021-006, in deciding whether to schedule a hearing by video conference, OHO may consider a variety of other factors in addition to COVID-19 trends. In SR-FINRA-2020-027, FINRA provided a non-exhaustive list of other factors OHO may take into consideration, including a hearing participant's individual health concerns and access to the connectivity and technology necessary to participate in a video conference hearing.^[15] The Exchange believes that this is a reasonable procedure to continue to follow for hearings under Rules 9261 and 9830 chaired by a FINRA employee.

As noted below, the Exchange has filed the proposed rule change for immediate effectiveness and has requested that the SEC waive the requirement that the proposed rule change not become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing, so the Exchange can implement the proposed rule change immediately.

2. Statutory Basis

The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,^[16] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),^[17] in particular, because it is 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 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. Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is designed to provide a fair procedure for the disciplining of members and persons associated with members, consistent with Sections 6(b)(7) and 6(d) of the Act.^[18]

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change supports the objectives of the Act by providing greater harmonization between Exchange rules and FINRA rules of similar purpose, resulting in less burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance. As such, the proposed rule change will foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities and will remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system.

The proposed rule change, which extends the expiration date of the temporary amendments to Exchange ( printed page 22507) rules consistent with FINRA's extension to its Rules 9261 and 9830 for four months as set forth in SR-FINRA-2021-006, will permit the Exchange to continue to effectively conduct hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given current COVID-19 conditions and the uncertainty around when those conditions will meaningfully improve, without this relief allowing OHO to proceed by video conference, some or all hearings may have to be postponed indefinitely. The ability to conduct hearings by video conference will permit the adjudicatory functions of the Exchange's disciplinary rules to continue unabated, thereby avoiding protracted delays. The Exchange believes that this is especially important in matters where temporary and permanent cease and desist orders are sought because the proposed rule change would enable those hearings to continue to proceed without delay, thereby enabling the Exchange to continue to take immediate action to stop significant, ongoing customer harm, to the benefit of the investing public.

As set forth in detail in the SR-NYSE-2020-76, the temporary relief to permit hearings to be conducted via video conference maintains fair process and will continue to provide fair process consistent with Sections 6(b)(7) and 6(d) of the Act ^[19] while striking an appropriate balance between providing fair process and enabling the Exchange to fulfill its statutory obligations to protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets while avoiding the COVID-19-related public health risks for hearing participants. The Exchange notes that this proposal, like SR-NYSE-2020-76, provides only temporary relief. As proposed, the changes would be in place through August 31, 2021. As noted in SR-NYSE-2020-76 and above, the amended rules will revert back to their original state at the conclusion of the temporary relief period and, if applicable, any extension thereof.

Accordingly, the proposed rule change extending this temporary relief is in the public interest and consistent with the Act's purpose.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed temporary rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is not intended to address competitive issues but is rather intended solely to provide continued temporary relief given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related health and safety risks of conducting in-person activities. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will prevent unnecessary impediments to critical adjudicatory processes and its ability to fulfill its statutory obligations to protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets that would otherwise result if the temporary amendments were to expire on April 30, 2021.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[20] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[21]

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. As the Exchange requested in connection with SR-NYSE-2020-107,^[22] here too the Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay so that this proposed rule change may become operative immediately upon filing.

The Exchange has indicated that extending this proposed rule change will prevent unnecessary impediments to critical adjudicatory processes and its ability to fulfill its statutory obligations to protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets that would otherwise result if the temporary amendments were to expire on April 30, 2021.^[23] The Commission also notes that this proposal, like SR-NYSE-2020-107, provides only temporary relief during the period in which the Exchange's operations are impacted by COVID-19. As proposed, the changes would be in place through August 31, 2021 ^[24] and the amended rules will revert back to their original state at the conclusion of the temporary relief period and, if applicable, any extension thereof.^[25] For these reasons, the Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative delay for this proposal is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposal operative upon filing.^[26]

At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml); or
• Send an email torule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-NYSE-2021-27 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.

April 22, 2021. ( printed page 22508)

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2021-27. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's internet website ( http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2021-27 and should be submitted on or before May 19, 2021.