The SEC’s new MA Rules become effective July 1, 2014, 17 CFR 240.15Ba1-1 through 1-8 and 15Bc4-1.  Required by Dodd-Frank § 975, the Rules were adopted last year, but the SEC postponed their implementation from January to July 1.  Rel. No. 34-71288 (stayed January 13 until July 1, 2014);  Final Rule, Rel. No. 34-70462, here: http://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2013/34-70462.pdf

The Rules implement a registration regime and impose a fiduciary duty upon any person deemed a Municipal Advisor.  The Rules are very specific about which circumstances and relationships impose that duty and what steps are required for various exemptions or safe-harbors.

Those providing advice to Municipal Entities or Obligated Persons need to assess the effect of the Rules and update their supervision and compliance policies accordingly.  The Securities & Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) recently released a set of Model Documents providing a helpful starting point for some compliance issues, here:

http://www.sifma.org/services/standard-forms-and-documentation/municipal-securities-markets/#MAforms

Additional resources include:

SEC’s Small Entity Compliance Guide

SEC’s FAQs

MSRB Registration Guidance, Reg. Not. 2014-10