The Section 31 fee rate applicable to specified securities transactions on exchanges and in OTC markets will jump from $18.00 per million dollars in transactions to a new rate of $22.40 per million dollars in transactions.  The new rates go into effect on 4/1/12 - which is a Sunday - so the rates will apply to transactions beginning on Monday, 4/2. The SEC announced the change on 3/1/12 in Fee Rate Advisory #6 for FY 2012.  Section 31 of the Exchange Act requires the SEC to annually adjust the fee rates applicable under Section 31 - to fully cover all costs incurred by the Commission. FINRA and the respective Nasdaq markets collects its Section 31 fees from member firms, in accordance with Section 3 of Schedule A to the By-Laws.  The costs typically are passed along to customers of the respective firms. FINRA Staff Contacts. Direct finance-related questions to:  Sheila Gregory, Accounting Manager, Finance - (240) 386-5388;  direct legal and interp. questions to: Brant Brown, Associate GC, Office of General Counsel - (202) 728-6927. For further details, go to:   [FINRA InfoNote, 3/8/12] or  [Nasdaq Equity Regulatory Alert #2012-3].