Establishing an Electronic Access System for Official Statements

SIFMA provides comments to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) on draft rule changes to establish an electronic access system for official statements, MSRB Notice 2007-33.  The notice proposes amendments to the original proposed amendments of MSRB Rule G-32 and Rule G-36.  SIFMA fully supports the development by the MSRB of a pilot portal as an internet-based public access portal, to provide free access to official statements and advance refunding documents, for a limited period of time in anticipation of a permanent system.  SIFMA encourages the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to amend Rule 15c2-12 to provide for a centralized electronic submission and dissemination model. In addition, SIFMA requests that the MSRB design the permanent system to accommodate optional submission of preliminary official statements.