SECFinal RuleJanuary 16, 2026

Delegation of Authority to Grant or Deny Exemptions

Finance & BankingOther

Summary

This SEC rule allows the agency to delegate its power to approve or reject exemption requests to lower-level officials, streamlining the decision-making process. This means companies seeking relief from certain securities regulations may get faster responses from the SEC without waiting for top leadership approval.

Key Points

1The SEC can now authorize mid-level staff to approve or deny exemption requests that previously required senior leadership sign-off
2Companies and investment firms that need relief from specific securities rules may experience faster decision timelines
3The rule maintains oversight by keeping records of all delegated decisions and allowing for review of how these powers are used
4This change applies to exemption requests across various SEC regulations affecting brokers, investment advisers, and public companies
5The delegation helps the SEC operate more efficiently by reducing bureaucratic delays in the exemption approval process

Key Dates

Published

January 16, 2026

Read on Federal Register View Docket

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.