On June 20, the SEC approved a rule that directs national securities exchanges to adopt listing standards for public company boards and compensation advisers. The new rule, required by the Dodd-Frank Act, requires exchange listing standards to address: (i) the independence of members on a committee; (ii) the committee’s authority to retain compensation advisers; (iii) the committee’s consideration of the independence of any compensation advisers; and (iv) the committee’s responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of any compensation adviser. These changes will take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. No later than 90 days after effectiveness, each exchange that lists equity securities must propose listing standards that comply with the new rule. The new listing standards must be approved by the SEC within one year of the new rule becoming effective. SEC Release. Rule.
