Not So Fast FASB. Just when it looked like FASB had solved the expensing of stock options issue, several bills are now in the works to change all that. This topic has become such a hot-button issue that the Securities and Exchange Commission took the liberty of inviting public comment, which is rather unusual. See our previous posts on these bills here, here, here, and here.

Recognizing the significance of any potential change to the proxy voting process, the SEC took the unusual step a year ago of announcing its intention to examine the matter and invited public comment.

Then, while normally the next public act would have been to issue a proposal and invite public comment, the SEC published the staff report which would serve as a basis for the five commissioners to decide what to do.

The proposed rule was issued in the fall with an invitation for public comment, and then a hearing was held in March, followed by yet another round of public comment.