SEC proxy disclosure enhancements to soon take effect
In December 2009, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published final amendments to its rules to enhance proxy disclosure. Proposed amendments were first released in July 2009 and the final rules reflect changes made in response to many of the comments received by the SEC in response to the proposed amendments.
Specifically, the final rules intend to improve the information that companies provide to shareholders regarding: (i) risk, by requiring disclosure respecting the board's role in risk oversight and, where relevant, disclosure respecting compensation policies and practices that are likely to expose the company to material risk; (ii) governance and director qualifications, by requiring expanded disclosure of the background and qualifications of directors and nominees, as well as disclosure concerning a company's board leadership structure; and (iii) compensation, by amending the reporting of stock and option awards and requiring, in certain circumstances, the disclosure of compensation consultants' potential conflicts of interest.
The amendments are effective as of February 28, 2010.
