S.Amdt. 5143Senate110th Congress (2007-2009)

S.Amdt. 5143

What it does: Replaces the bill's text with a full substitute
Sponsored by Bob CorkerSen. Bob Corker (R-TN)
Submitted July 24, 2008

What it changes

1 change to S. 3268 · shown in the bill's text

Full substitute
  1. Replaces the bill's text with a full substitute

    Replaces the full textEverything after the enacting clause

    In S. 3268 · Placed on Calendar Senate

    SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE[struck: ; TABLE OF CONTENTS].

    [struck: (a) Short Title.--]This Act may be cited as the "[struck: Stop Excessive ][inserted: Increasing Transparency and Accountability in ]Energy [struck: Speculation][inserted: Prices] Act of 2008".

    Struck: (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

    Struck: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

    [struck: Sec][inserted: SEC]. 2. [struck: Definition of energy commodity][inserted: STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL REGULATION OF ENERGY COMMODITY MARKETS].

    Struck: Sec. 3. Speculative limits and transparency of off-shore trading.

    Struck: Sec. 4. Authority of Commodity Futures Trading Commission with respect to certain traders.

    Struck: Sec. 5. Working group of international regulators.

    Struck: Sec. 6. Elimination of manipulation and excessive speculation as cause of high oil, gas, and energy prices.

    Show 28 more struck paragraphs

    Struck: Sec. 7. Large over-the-counter transactions.

    Struck: Sec. 8. Index traders and swap dealers.

    Struck: Sec. 9. Disaggregation of index funds and other data in energy markets.

    Struck: Sec. 10. Additional Commodity Futures Trading Commission employees for improved enforcement.

    Struck: Sec. 11. Working Group on Energy Markets.

    Struck: Sec. 12. Study of regulatory framework for energy markets.

    Struck: Sec. 13. Collection and analysis of information on energy commodities.

    Struck: Sec. 14. National natural gas market investigation.

    Struck: Sec. 15. Studies; reports.

    Struck: Sec. 16. Expedited procedures.

    Struck: SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF ENERGY COMMODITY.

    Struck: (a) Definition of Energy Commodity.--Section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a) is amended--

    Struck: (1) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (34) as paragraphs (14) through (35), respectively; and

    Struck: (2) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:

    Struck: "(13) Energy commodity.--The term 'energy commodity' means--

    Struck: "(A) a petroleum product; and

    Struck: "(B) natural gas.".

    Struck: (b) Conforming Amendments.--

    Struck: (1) Section 2(c)(2)(B)(i)(II)(cc) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2(c)(2)(B)(i)(II)(cc)) is amended--

    Struck: (A) in subitem (AA), by striking "section 1a(20)" and inserting "section 1a(21)"; and

    Struck: (B) in subitem (BB), by striking "section 1a(20)" and inserting "section 1a(21)".

    Struck: (2) Section 13106(b)(1) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is amended by striking "section 1a(32)" and inserting "section 1a".

    Struck: (3) Section 402 of the Legal Certainty for Bank Products Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 27) is amended--

    Struck: (A) in subsection (a)(7), by striking "section 1a(20)" and inserting "section 1a"; and

    Struck: (B) in subsection (d)--

    Struck: (i) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking "section 1a(33)" and inserting "section 1a"; and

    Struck: (ii) in paragraph (2)(D), by striking "section 1a(13)" and inserting "section 1a".

    Struck: SEC. 3. SPECULATIVE LIMITS AND TRANSPARENCY OF OFF-SHORE TRADING.

    Inserted: (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall jointly conduct a study of the international regime for regulating the trading of energy commodity futures and derivatives.

    Inserted: (b) Analysis.--The study shall include an analysis of, at a minimum--

    Inserted: (1) key common features and differences among countries in the regulation of energy commodity trading, including with respect to market oversight and enforcement;

    Inserted: (2) agreements and practices for sharing market and trading data;

    Inserted: (3) the use of position limits or thresholds to detect and prevent price manipulation, excessive speculation as described in section 4a(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6a(a)) or other unfair trading practices;

    Inserted: (4) practices regarding the identification of commercial and noncommercial trading and the extent of market speculation; and

    Inserted: (5) agreements and practices for facilitating international cooperation on market oversight, compliance, and enforcement.

    Inserted: (c) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the heads of the Federal agencies described in subsection (a) shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that--

    Inserted: (1) describes the results of the study; and

    Inserted: (2) provides recommendations to improve openness, transparency, and other necessary elements of a properly functioning market.

    Inserted: SEC. 3. FOREIGN BOARDS OF TRADE.

    Section 4 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    "(e) Foreign Boards of Trade.--

    "(1) In general.--The Commission [struck: may][inserted: shall] not permit a foreign board of [struck: trade to provide to the ][inserted: trade's ]members [struck: of the foreign board of trade ]or other participants located in the United States[struck: , or otherwise subject ][inserted: ]to [struck: the jurisdiction of the Commission, direct access to ][inserted: enter trades directly into ]the [struck: electronic trading and order matching system of the ]foreign board of [inserted: trade's ]trade [inserted: matching system ]with respect to an agreement, contract, or transaction in an energy commodity [inserted: (as defined by the Commission) ]that settles against any price[struck: (][inserted: , ]including the daily or final settlement price[struck: )][inserted: ,] of [struck: 1 ][inserted: a contract ]or [struck: more ]contracts listed for trading on a registered entity, unless--

    Struck: "(A) the foreign board of trade--

    "([struck: i][inserted: A]) [inserted: the foreign board of trade ]makes public daily [struck: trading ]information [struck: regarding ][inserted: on settlement prices, volume, open interest, and opening and closing ranges for ]the agreement, contract, or transaction that is comparable to the daily [struck: trading][inserted: trade] information published by the registered entity for the [struck: 1][inserted: contract] or [struck: more ]contracts against which [struck: the foreign board of trade ][inserted: it ]settles;[struck: and]

    Struck: "(ii) promptly notifies the Commission of any change regarding--

    Struck: "(I) the information that the foreign board of trade will make publicly available;

    Struck: "(II) the position limits, speculation limits, and position accountability provisions that the foreign board of trade will adopt and enforce;

    Struck: "(III) the position reductions required to prevent manipulation; and

    Show 2 more struck paragraphs

    Struck: "(IV) any other area of interest expressed by the Commission to the foreign board of trade; and

    Struck: "(B) the foreign board of trade (or the foreign futures authority that oversees the foreign board of trade)--

    "([struck: i][inserted: B]) [inserted: the foreign board of trade or a foreign futures authority ]adopts position [struck: limits][inserted: limitations] (including related hedge exemption provisions)[struck: , speculation limits, ][inserted: ]or position accountability [struck: provisions ]for speculators for the agreement, contract, or transaction that are comparable to the position [struck: limits][inserted: limitations] (including related hedge exemption provisions)[struck: , speculation limits, ][inserted: ]or position accountability [struck: provisions ]adopted by the registered entity for the [struck: 1][inserted: contract] or [struck: more ]contracts against which [struck: the foreign board of trade ][inserted: it ]settles;[inserted: and]

    Struck: "(ii) has the authority to require or direct market participants to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position the foreign board of trade (or the foreign futures authority that oversees the foreign board of trade) determines to be necessary to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and

    "([struck: iii][inserted: C]) [inserted: the foreign board of trade or a foreign futures authority ]provides [inserted: such ]information to the Commission regarding the extent of [struck: legitimate][inserted: speculative] and [struck: nonlegitimate hedge ][inserted: non-speculative ]trading in the agreement, contract, or transaction that is comparable to the information [struck: that ]the Commission determines [struck: to be ][inserted: is ]necessary to publish [struck: the commitments ][inserted: its weekly report ]of traders [struck: report of ][inserted: (commonly known as ]the [struck: Commission ][inserted: Commitments of Traders report) ]for the [struck: 1][inserted: contract] or [struck: more ]contracts against which [struck: the foreign board of trade ][inserted: it ]settles.

    "(2) Existing foreign boards of trade.--Paragraph (1) shall [struck: not be ][inserted: become ]effective [inserted: 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection ]with respect to any agreement, contract, or transaction in an energy commodity [struck: executed ][inserted: (as defined by the Commission) conducted ]on a foreign board of trade [struck: to][inserted: for] which the [struck: Commission ][inserted: Commission's staff ]had granted [struck: direct access permission prior to ][inserted: relief from ]the [struck: date][inserted: requirements] of [struck: enactment of ]this [struck: subsection until the date that is 180 days after ][inserted: Act prior to ]the date of enactment of this subsection.".

    Struck: SEC. 4. AUTHORITY OF COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN TRADERS.

    Struck: (a) In General.--

    Struck: (1) Restriction of futures trading to contract markets or derivatives transaction execution facilities.--Section 4(b) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6(b)) is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: "The Commission may adopt rules and regulations requiring the maintenance of books and records by any person that is located within the United States (including the territories and possessions of the United States) or that enters trades directly into the trade matching system of a foreign board of trade from the United States (including the territories and possessions of the United States)." (2) Excessive speculation as a burden on interstate commerce.--Section 4a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6a) is amended--

    Struck: (A) in subsection (e), in the second sentence--

    Show 121 more struck paragraphs

    Struck: (i) by striking "this Act for any person" and inserting "this Act for (1) any person"; and

    Struck: (ii) by inserting after "to section 5c(c)(1)" the following: ", and (2) any person that is located within the United States (including the territories and possessions of the United States) or that enters trades directly into the trade matching system of a foreign board of trade from the United States (including the territories and possessions of the United States) to violate any bylaw, rule, regulation, or resolution of any foreign board of trade or foreign futures authority fixing limits on the amount of trading that may be carried out or positions that may be held under any contract of sale of an energy commodity for future delivery or under any option on such contract or energy commodity, that settles against any price (including the daily or final settlement price) of 1 or more contracts listed for trading on a registered entity"; and

    Struck: (B) by adding at the end the following:

    Struck: "(f) Consultation.--Before taking any action under subsection (e), the Commission shall consult with the appropriate--

    Struck: "(1) foreign board of trade; and

    Struck: "(2) foreign futures authority.".

    Struck: (3) Violations.--Section 9(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 13(a)) is amended by inserting "(including any person trading on a foreign board of trade)" after "Any person" each place it appears.

    Struck: (4) Effect.--No amendment made by this subsection limits any of the otherwise applicable authorities of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

    Struck: SEC. 5. WORKING GROUP OF INTERNATIONAL REGULATORS.

    Struck: Section 4a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6a) (as amended by section 4(a)(2)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Struck: "(g) Working Group of International Regulators.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall convene a working group of international regulators to develop uniform international reporting and regulatory standards to ensure the protection of the energy futures markets from nonlegitimate hedge trading, excessive speculation, manipulation, location shopping, and lowest common dominator regulation, each of which pose systemic risks to all energy futures markets, countries, and consumers.".

    Struck: SEC. 6. ELIMINATION OF MANIPULATION AND EXCESSIVE SPECULATION AS CAUSE OF HIGH OIL, GAS, AND ENERGY PRICES.

    Struck: Section 4a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6a) (as amended by section 5) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Struck: "(h) Elimination of Excessive Speculation and Nonlegitimate Hedge Trading as a Cause of High Oil, Gas, and Energy Prices.--

    Struck: "(1) Definition of legitimate hedge trading.--

    Struck: "(A) In general.--The term 'legitimate hedge trading' means the conduct of trading that involves transactions by commercial producers and purchasers of actual physical petroleum and energy commodities for future delivery and the direct counterparties to such trades (regardless of whether the counterparties are commercial producers or purchasers).

    Struck: "(B) Inclusion.--To the extent a commercial producer or purchaser of an actual physical energy commodity for future delivery trades with an intermediary (referred to in this subparagraph as an 'initial trade'), each subsequent trade by the intermediary arising solely due to the initial trade and that directly results from such initial trade (referred to in this subparagraph as a 'follow-on trade') shall be considered to be the conduct of 'legitimate hedge trading' if each follow-on trade executed by the intermediary is--

    Struck: "(i) done proximate to the initial trade; and

    Struck: "(ii) in the aggregate, economically the same in size and substance as the initial trade.

    Struck: "(2) Identification of legitimate hedge trading.--In carrying out this Act, the Commission shall distinguish between--

    Struck: "(A) legitimate hedge trading; and

    Struck: "(B) all other trading in energy commodities.

    Struck: "(3) Type of trading.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Commission shall modify (or delegate any appropriate entity to modify) such definitions, classifications, and data collection under this Act as are necessary to ensure that all direct and indirect parties and counterparties to all trades in the energy commodities market are clearly identified for all purposes as engaging in--

    Struck: "(A) legitimate hedge trading; or

    Struck: "(B) any other type of trading.

    Struck: "(4) Elimination of excessive speculation.--

    Struck: "(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Commission shall review all regulations, rules, exemptions, exclusions, guidance, no action letters, orders, and other actions taken by or on behalf of the Commission (including any action or inaction taken pursuant to delegated authority by an exchange, self-regulatory organization, or any other entity) regarding all energy futures market participants or market activity (referred to in this subsection individually as a 'prior action') to ensure that--

    Struck: "(i) legitimate hedge trading is protected and promoted; and

    Struck: "(ii) excessive speculation is eliminated.

    Struck: "(B) Prior action.--

    Struck: "(i) In general.--The Commission shall consider modifying or revoking the application after the date of enactment of this subsection of any prior action taken by the Commission (including any prior action taken pursuant to delegated authority by any other entity) with respect to any trade on any market, exchange, foreign board of trade, swap or swap transaction, index or index market participant or trade, hedge fund, pension fund, and any other transaction, trade, trader, or petroleum or energy futures market activity unless the Commission affirmatively determines that such prior action will protect and promote legitimate hedge trading and does not permit or encourage excessive speculation.

    Struck: "(ii) Revocation.--In carrying out this subparagraph, the Commission shall consider modifying or revoking the results of each prior action that, in whole or in part, has the direct or indirect affect of limiting, reducing, or eliminating the filing of any report or data regarding any direct or indirect trade or trader, including the filing of large trader reports.

    Struck: "(C) Speculative position limits applicable to nonlegitimate hedge trading in energy commodities and derivatives.--

    Struck: "(i) Speculative position limits.--

    Struck: "(I) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall impose, by rule, regulation, or order, speculative position limits on trading that is not legitimate hedge trading.

    Struck: "(II) Application.--The Commission shall apply the limits imposed under subclause (I) to any person who executes accounts, agreements, or transactions involving an energy commodity for the own account of the person and to any person for whom an agent in fact or substance executes accounts, agreements, or transactions involving an energy commodity, on a registered entity or in covered over- the-counter trading.

    Struck: "(ii) Advisory group.--

    Struck: "(I) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall convene an advisory group primarily consisting of commercial producers and purchasers of actual physical energy commodities for future delivery.

    Struck: "(II) Recommendations.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which the advisory group is convened under subclause (I), and annually thereafter, the advisory group shall submit to the Commission recommendations regarding an appropriate level for position limits--

    Struck: "(aa) that are designed for traders or entities that are not legitimate hedge traders; and

    Struck: "(bb) to replace the position limits imposed by the Commission under clause (i)(I).

    Struck: "(III) Applicability of faca.--The advisory group shall be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).

    Struck: "(iii) Review of recommendations.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall--

    Struck: "(I) analyze and review the recommendations submitted by the advisory group under clause (ii)(II); and

    Struck: "(II) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing each recommendation (including each modification to the statutory authority of the Commission that the Commission determines to be necessary to effectuate each recommendation).

    Struck: "(iv) Rulemaking.--

    Struck: "(I) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall promulgate a final rule that establishes speculative position limits--

    Struck: "(aa) for any person engaged in nonlegitimate hedge trading of an energy commodity; and

    Struck: "(bb) that are consistent with this Act.

    Struck: "(II) Effective date.--The final rule described in subclause (I) shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Commission promulgates the final rule.

    Struck: "(v) Development of methodology.--

    Struck: "(I) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall propose a methodology to determine and set aggregate speculative position limits at the control entity level for all nonlegitimate traders of energy commodities--

    Struck: "(aa) on designated contract markets;

    Struck: "(bb) on derivatives transaction execution facilities; and

    Struck: "(cc) in over-the-counter commodity derivatives.

    Struck: "(II) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that contains--

    Struck: "(aa) any recommendations regarding any additional statutory authority that the Commission determines to be necessary for the imposition of the speculative position limits described in subclause (I); and

    Struck: "(bb) a description of the resources that the Commission considers to be necessary to implement the speculative position limits.

    Struck: "(D) Maximum level of speculative position limits.--

    Struck: "(i) In general.--In establishing speculative position limits under this section (including subparagraph (C)(iv)), the Commission shall set the limits at the maximum level practicable--

    Struck: "(I) to ensure sufficient market liquidity for the conduct of legitimate hedging activities;

    Struck: "(II) to ensure that price discovery is not disrupted;

    Struck: "(III) to protect and promote legitimate hedge trading;

    Struck: "(IV) to minimize nonlegitimate hedge trading; and

    Struck: "(V) to eliminate excess speculation.

    Struck: "(ii) Effect.--

    Struck: "(I) In general.--Nothing in this subparagraph modifies the spot month position limitation of 3,000 contracts that is designed to prevent a corner or squeeze at the delivery date.

    Struck: "(II) Commission action.--If the Commission sets position limits under clause (i) that are different from the spot month position limit described in subclause (I), the Commission shall include in the report required under subparagraph (C)(v)(II) an analysis describing the reasons for the position limits.".

    Struck: SEC. 7. LARGE OVER-THE-COUNTER TRANSACTIONS.

    Struck: Section 2 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Struck: "(j) Over-the-Counter Transactions.--

    Struck: "(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:

    Struck: "(A) Covered over-the-counter transaction.--The term 'covered over-the-counter transaction' means an over-the-counter transaction the reporting of which is required by the Commission as the result of a determination made under paragraph (3)(C).

    Struck: "(B) Covered person.--The term 'covered person' means a person that enters into a covered over-the- counter transaction.

    Struck: "(C) Major market disturbance.--The term 'major market disturbance' means any disturbance in a commodity market that disrupts the liquidity and price discovery function of that market from accurately reflecting the forces of supply and demand for a commodity, including--

    Struck: "(i) a threatened or actual market manipulation or corner;

    Struck: "(ii) excessive speculation;

    Struck: "(iii) nonlegitimate hedge trading; and

    Struck: "(iv) any action of the United States or a foreign government that affects a commodity.

    Struck: "(D) Market disturbance.--The term 'market disturbance' shall be interpreted in accordance with section 8a(9)).

    Struck: "(E) Over-the-counter transaction.--The term 'over-the-counter transaction' means a contract, agreement, or transaction in a petroleum or energy commodity that is--

    Struck: "(i) entered into only between persons that are eligible contract participants at the time the persons enter into the agreement, contract, or transaction;

    Struck: "(ii) not entered into on a trading facility; and

    Struck: "(iii) not a sale of any cash commodity for deferred shipment or delivery.

    Struck: "(2) Commission oversight authority.--

    Struck: "(A) In general.--In the case of a major market disturbance, as determined by the Commission, the Commission may require any trader subject to the reporting requirements described in paragraph (3) to take such action as the Commission considers to be necessary to maintain or restore orderly trading in any contract listed for trading on a registered entity, including--

    Struck: "(i) the liquidation of any over-the- counter transaction; and

    Struck: "(ii) the fixing of any limit that may apply to a market position involving any over- the-counter transaction acquired in good faith before the date of the determination of the Commission.

    Struck: "(B) Judicial review.--Any action taken by the Commission under subparagraph (A) shall be subject to judicial review carried out in accordance with section 8a(9).

    Struck: "(3) Reporting; recordkeeping.--

    Struck: "(A) In general.--The Commission shall require each covered person to submit to the Commission a report--

    Struck: "(i) at such time and in such manner as the Commission determines to be appropriate; and

    Struck: "(ii) containing the information required under subparagraph (B) to assist the Commission in detecting and preventing potential price manipulation of, or excessive speculation in, any contract listed for trading on a registered entity.

    Struck: "(B) Contents of report.--A report required under subparagraph (A) shall contain--

    Struck: "(i) information describing large trading positions of the covered person obtained through 1 or more over-the-counter transactions that involve--

    Struck: "(I) substantial quantities of a commodity in the cash market; or

    Struck: "(II) substantial positions, investments, or trades in agreements or contracts relating to the commodity;

    Struck: "(ii) any other information relating to each covered over-the-counter transaction carried out by the covered person that the Commission determines to be necessary to accomplish the purposes described in subparagraph (A); and

    Struck: "(iii) information distinguishing legitimate hedge trading from nonlegitimate hedge trading.

    Struck: "(C) Determination of covered over-the-counter transactions.--

    Struck: "(i) In general.--The Commission shall identify each large over-the-counter transaction or class of large over-the-counter transactions the reporting of which the Commission determines to be appropriate to assist the Commission in detecting and preventing potential price manipulation of, or excessive speculation in, any contract listed for trading on a registered entity.

    Struck: "(ii) Mandatory factors for determinations.--

    Struck: "(I) In general.--In carrying out a determination under clause (i), the Commission shall consider the extent to which each factor described in subclause (II) applies.

    Struck: "(II) Factors.--The factors required for carrying out a determination under clause (i) include whether--

    Struck: "(aa) a standardized agreement is used to execute the over-the-counter transaction;

    Struck: "(bb) the over-the-counter transaction settles against any price (including the daily or final settlement price) of 1 or more contracts listed for trading on a registered entity;

    Struck: "(cc) the price of the over-the-counter transaction is reported to a third party, published, or otherwise disseminated;

    Struck: "(dd) the price of the over-the-counter transaction is referenced in any other transaction;

    Struck: "(ee) there is a significant volume of the over- the-counter transaction or class of over-the-counter transactions; and

    Struck: "(ff) there is any other factor that the Commission determines to be appropriate.

    Struck: "(D) Recordkeeping.--The Commission, by rule, shall require each covered person--

    Struck: "(i) in accordance with section 4i, to maintain such records as directed by the Commission for a period of 5 years, or longer, if directed by the Commission; and

    Struck: "(ii) to provide such records upon request to the Commission or the Department of Justice.

    Struck: "(4) Protection of proprietary information.--In carrying out this subsection, the Commission may not--

    Struck: "(A) require the real-time publication of any proprietary information;

    Struck: "(B) prohibit the commercial sale or licensing of any real-time proprietary information; and

    Struck: "(C) except as provided in section 8, publicly disclose any information relating to any market position, business transaction, trade secret, or name of any customer of a covered person.

    Struck: "(5) Applicability.--Notwithstanding subsections (g) and (h), and any exemption issued by the Commission for any energy commodity, each over-the-counter transaction shall be subject to this subsection.

    Struck: "(6) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection modifies or alters--

    Struck: "(A) the guidance of the Commission; or

    Struck: "(B) any applicable requirements with respect the disclosure of proprietary information.".

    SEC. [struck: 8][inserted: 4]. INDEX TRADERS AND SWAP DEALERS[inserted: ; DISAGGREGATION OF INDEX FUNDS].

    Section 4 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) (as amended by section 3) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Struck: "(f) Index Traders and Swap Dealers.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall--

    Struck: "(1) routinely require detailed reporting from index traders and swap dealers in markets under the jurisdiction of the Commission;

    Struck: "(2) reclassify the types of traders for regulatory and reporting purposes to distinguish between index traders and swaps dealers;

    Struck: "(3) review the trading practices for index traders in markets under the jurisdiction of the Commission--

    Show 107 more struck paragraphs

    Struck: "(A) to ensure that index trading is not adversely impacting the price discovery process; and

    Struck: "(B) to determine whether different practices or regulations should be implemented; and

    Struck: "(4) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the reports required under this subsection distinguish between legitimate and nonlegitimate hedge trading.".

    Struck: SEC. 9. DISAGGREGATION OF INDEX FUNDS AND OTHER DATA IN ENERGY MARKETS.

    Struck: Section 4 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) (as amended by section 8) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Struck: "(g) Disaggregation of Index Funds and Other Data in Energy Markets.--The Commission shall disaggregate and make public monthly--

    Struck: "(1) the number of positions and total value of index funds and other passive, long-only positions in energy markets; and

    Struck: "(2) data on speculative positions relative to bona fide physical hedgers in those markets.".

    Struck: SEC. 10. ADDITIONAL COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION EMPLOYEES FOR IMPROVED ENFORCEMENT.

    Struck: Section 2(a)(7) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2(a)(7)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Struck: "(D) Additional employees.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Commission shall appoint at least 100 full-time employees (in addition to the employees employed by the Commission as of the date of enactment of this subparagraph)--

    Struck: "(i) to increase the public transparency of operations in energy futures markets;

    Struck: "(ii) to improve the enforcement of this Act in those markets; and

    Struck: "(iii) to carry out such other duties as are prescribed by the Commission.".

    Struck: SEC. 11. WORKING GROUP ON ENERGY MARKETS.

    Struck: (a) Establishment.--There is established a Working Group on Energy Markets.

    Struck: (b) Composition.--The Working Group shall be composed of--

    Struck: (1) the Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the "Secretary");

    Struck: (2) the Secretary of the Treasury;

    Struck: (3) the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;

    Struck: (4) the Chairman of Federal Trade Commission;

    Struck: (5) the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission;

    Struck: (6) the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and

    Struck: (7) the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration.

    Struck: (c) Chairperson.--

    Struck: (1) Initial chairperson.--The Secretary shall serve as the Chairperson of the Working Group for the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.

    Struck: (2) Rotation of chairpersons.--For each 1-year period following the period described in paragraph (1), each individual described in subsection (b) shall serve as the Chairperson of the Working Group in the order corresponding to which the individual is described in that subsection.

    Struck: (d) Purpose and Function.--The Working Group shall--

    Struck: (1) investigate the effect of speculation in energy commodities on energy prices and the energy security of the United States;

    Struck: (2) recommend to the President and Congress laws (including regulations) that may be needed to prevent excessive speculation in energy commodities to prevent or minimize the adverse impact of high energy prices on consumers and the economy of the United States; and

    Struck: (3) review energy security considerations posed by developments in international energy markets.

    Struck: (e) Administration.--The Secretary shall provide the Working Group with such administrative and support services as may be necessary for the performance of the functions of the Working Group.

    Struck: (f) Cooperation of Other Agencies.--The heads of Executive departments, agencies, and independent instrumentalities shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide the Working Group with such information as the Working Group requires to carry out this section.

    Struck: (g) Consultation.--The Working Group shall consult, as appropriate, with representatives of the various exchanges, clearinghouses, self- regulatory bodies, other major market participants, consumers, and the general public.

    Struck: SEC. 12. STUDY OF REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR ENERGY MARKETS.

    Struck: (a) Study.--The Working Group established under section 11(a) shall conduct a study to--

    Struck: (1) identify the factors that affect the pricing of crude oil and refined petroleum products, including an examination of the effects of market speculation on prices; and

    Struck: (2) review and assess the roles, missions, and structures of relevant Federal agencies, examine interagency coordination, and identify and assess the gaps that need to be filled for the Federal Government to effectively oversee and regulate markets critical to the energy security of the United States.

    Struck: (b) Elements of Study.--The study shall include--

    Struck: (1) an examination of price formation with respect to crude oil and refined petroleum products;

    Struck: (2) an examination of relevant international regulatory regimes; and

    Struck: (3) an examination of the degree to which changes in energy market transparency, liquidity, and structure have influenced or driven abuse, manipulation, excessive speculation, or inefficient price formation.

    Struck: (c) Report and Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that--

    Struck: (1) describes the results of the study; and

    Struck: (2) provides options and the recommendations of the Working Group for appropriate Federal coordination of oversight and regulatory actions to ensure transparency of crude oil and refined petroleum product pricing and the elimination of excessive speculation.

    Struck: (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

    Struck: SEC. 13. COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION ON ENERGY COMMODITIES.

    Struck: (a) Accurate and Complete Information on Energy Producing Companies.--Section 205(h)(1) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7135(h)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Struck: "(C) Information on energy-producing companies.-- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the head of each Federal department or agency shall provide to the Administrator, on the request of the Administrator, such information as the Administrator may require to identify each energy-producing company.".

    Struck: (b) Enhanced Data on Ownership of Critical Energy Commodities.-- Section 205 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7135) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Struck: "(n) Collection of Information on Ownership of Energy Commodities.--

    Struck: "(1) In general.--To ensure transparency of information with respect to critical energy infrastructure and product ownership in the United States, the Administrator shall collect on a weekly basis information identifying the ownership of all commercially held oil and natural gas inventories in the United States.

    Struck: "(2) Company-specific data.--The information shall include company-specific data, including--

    Struck: "(A) volumes of product under ownership; and

    Struck: "(B) storage and transportation capacity (including owned and leased capacity).

    Struck: "(3) Protection of proprietary information.--Section 11(d) of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 796(d)) shall apply to information collected under this section.

    Struck: "(o) Monthly Reporting on Energy Commodity Transactions.--

    Struck: "(1) In general.--In accordance with paragraph (2), to improve the ability to evaluate the energy security of the United States, any person holding or controlling energy futures contracts or energy commodity swaps (as defined in section 202 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act) at a level to be determined by the Secretary for which the underlying energy commodity is physically delivered within the United States shall report on a monthly basis, with respect to the energy commodities and the byproducts of the energy commodities--

    Struck: "(A) the quantity of physical stocks owned;

    Struck: "(B) the quantity of fixed price purchase commitments open;

    Struck: "(C) the quantity of fixed price sales commitments open;

    Struck: "(D) the physical storage capacity owned or leased; and

    Struck: "(E) such other information as the Secretary determines is necessary to provide adequate transparency with respect to entities that control critical energy assets in the United States.

    Struck: "(2) Use of data.--Any data collected under paragraph (1) shall not be made public in a manner that is inconsistent with this Act.

    Struck: "(p) Financial Market Analysis Office.--

    Struck: "(1) Establishment.--There shall be within the Energy Information Administration a Financial Market Analysis Office, headed by a director, who shall report directly to the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration.

    Struck: "(2) Duties.--The Office shall be responsible for analysis of the financial aspects of energy markets.

    Struck: "(3) Analyses.--The Administrator of the Energy Information Administration shall take analyses by the Office into account in conducting analyses and forecasting of energy prices.".

    Struck: (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 645 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7255) is amended by inserting "(15 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) and the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717 et seq.)" after "Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978".

    Struck: SEC. 14. NATIONAL NATURAL GAS MARKET INVESTIGATION.

    Struck: (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, in order to ensure the integrity of natural gas markets, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (referred to in this section as the "Commission") shall commence an investigation into the role of financial institutions in natural gas markets, including--

    Struck: (1) trends in investment in natural gas storage, transportation capacity, and pipeline infrastructure;

    Struck: (2) factors contributing to potential effects on wholesale natural gas prices, including the mechanisms covered by physical natural gas supply contracts;

    Struck: (3) the character and number of positions held in related financial markets; and

    Struck: (4) any international considerations the Commission considers relevant.

    Struck: (b) Assessment.--The Commission may include in the investigation an assessment of real-time market dynamics during the 2008 winter heating season.

    Struck: (c) Required Data.--Each Federal department and agency shall comply with any request from the Commission for records, papers, and information in the possession of the department or agency relating to any agreement, contract, or transaction for the sale of an energy commodity for future delivery in interstate or foreign commerce, or any energy commodity swap.

    Struck: (d) Reports.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the investigation conducted under this section.

    Struck: (e) Additional Investigations.--On an annual basis and during any other period the Commission determines necessary, the Commission shall--

    Struck: (1) conduct an investigation that is similar to the investigation required under subsections (a) through (c); and

    Struck: (2) submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the investigation.

    Struck: (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

    Struck: SEC. 15. STUDIES; REPORTS.

    Struck: (a) Study Relating to International Regulation of Energy Commodity Markets.--

    Struck: (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the international regime for regulating the trading of energy commodity futures and derivatives.

    Struck: (2) Analysis.--The study shall include an analysis of, at a minimum--

    Struck: (A) key common features and differences among countries in the regulation of energy commodity trading, including with respect to market oversight and enforcement standards and activities;

    Struck: (B) variations among countries with respect to the use of position limits, accountability limits, or other thresholds to detect and prevent price manipulation, excessive speculation, or other unfair trading practices;

    Struck: (C) variations in practices regarding the differentiation of commercial and noncommercial trading;

    Struck: (D) agreements and practices for sharing market and trading data among regulatory bodies and among individual regulators and the entities that the bodies and regulators oversee; and

    Struck: (E) agreements and practices for facilitating international cooperation on market oversight, compliance, and enforcement.

    Struck: (3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that--

    Struck: (A) describes the results of the study;

    Struck: (B) addresses the effects of excessive speculation and energy price volatility on energy futures; and

    Struck: (C) provides recommendations to improve openness, transparency, and other necessary elements of a properly functioning market in a manner that protects consumers in the United States.

    Struck: (b) Study Relating to Effects of Noncommercial Speculators on Energy Futures Markets and Energy Prices.--

    Struck: (1) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the effects of noncommercial speculators on energy futures markets and energy prices.

    Struck: (2) Analysis.--The study shall include an analysis of, at a minimum--

    Struck: (A) the effect of increased amounts of capital in energy futures markets;

    Struck: (B) the impact of the roll-over of positions by index fund traders and swap dealers on energy futures markets and energy prices; and

    Struck: (C) the extent to which each factor described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) and noncommercial speculators--

    Struck: (i) affect--

    Struck: (I) the pricing of energy commodities; and

    Struck: (II) risk management functions; and

    Struck: (ii) contribute to economically efficient price discovery.

    Struck: (3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the results of the study.

    Struck: (c) Reports of Commodity Futures Trading Commission.--

    Inserted: "(f) Index Traders and Swap Dealers.--

    [inserted: "](1) [struck: In general][inserted: Reporting].--The Commission shall[struck: submit to Congress]--

    Struck: (A) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a report that describes in detail the actions the Commission has taken, is taking, and intends to take to carry out this subsection (including any recommended legislative changes that are necessary to carry out this subsection); and

    Struck: (B) not later than 45 days after the date described in subparagraph (A) and every 45 days thereafter until the date of implementation of this subsection, an update on the report required under subparagraph (A).

    Struck: (2) Additional employees or resources.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report that describes the number of additional positions and resources that the Commission determines to be necessary to carry out this subsection (including the specific duty of each additional employee).

    Struck: SEC. 16. EXPEDITED PROCEDURES.

    Show 2 more struck paragraphs

    Struck: (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (referred to in this section as the "Commission") shall use emergency and expedited procedures (including any administrative or other procedure as appropriate) to carry out this Act (including the amendments made by this Act).

    Struck: (b) Report.--If the Commission decides not to use the procedures described in subsection (a) in a specific instance, not later than 30 days after the date of the decision, the Commission shall submit to Congress a detailed report that describes in each instance the reasons for not using the procedures.

    Inserted: "(A) issue a proposed rule regarding routine reporting requirements for index traders and swap dealers (as those terms are defined by the Commission) in energy and agricultural transactions (as those terms are defined by the Commission) within the jurisdiction of the Commission not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, and issue a final rule regarding such reporting requirements not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this subsection; and

    Inserted: "(B) subject to the provisions of section 8, disaggregate and make public monthly information on the positions and value of index funds and other passive, long-only positions in the energy and agricultural futures markets.

    Inserted: "(2) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report regarding--

    Inserted: "(A) the scope of commodity index trading in the futures markets;

    Inserted: "(B) whether classification of index traders and swap dealers in the futures markets can be improved for regulatory and reporting purposes; and

    Inserted: "(C) whether, based on a review of the trading practices for index traders in the futures markets--

    Inserted: "(i) index trading activity is adversely impacting the price discovery process in the futures markets; and

    Inserted: "(ii) different practices and controls should be required.".

    Inserted: SEC. 5. IMPROVED OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT.

    Inserted: (a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--

    Inserted: (1) crude oil prices are at record levels and consumers in the United States are paying record prices for gasoline;

    Inserted: (2) funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has been insufficient to cover the significant growth of the futures markets;

    Show 7 more inserted paragraphs

    Inserted: (3) since the establishment of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the volume of trading on futures exchanges has grown 8,000 percent while staffing numbers have decreased 12 percent; and

    Inserted: (4) in today's dynamic market environment, it is essential that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission receive the funding necessary to enforce existing authority to ensure that all commodity markets, including energy markets, are properly monitored for market manipulation.

    Inserted: (b) Additional Employees.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall hire at least 100 additional full-time employees--

    Inserted: (1) to increase the public transparency of operations in energy futures markets;

    Inserted: (2) to improve the enforcement in those markets; and

    Inserted: (3) to carry out such other duties as are prescribed by the Commission.

    Inserted: (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to any other funds made available to carry out the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for fiscal year 2009.

    Original wording

    Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:

Read automatically from the Congressional Record. Check the original before relying on it.

As printed

SA 5143. Mr. CORKER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 3268, to amend the Commodity Exchange Act, to prevent excessive price speculation with respect to energy commodities, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Energy Prices Act of 2008”.

SEC. 2. STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL REGULATION OF ENERGY COMMODITY MARKETS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall jointly conduct a study of the international regime for regulating the trading of energy commodity futures and derivatives.

(b) Analysis.--The study shall include an analysis of, at a minimum--

(1) key common features and differences among countries in the regulation of energy commodity trading, including with respect to market oversight and enforcement;

(2) agreements and practices for sharing market and trading data;

(3) the use of position limits or thresholds to detect and prevent price manipulation, excessive speculation as described in section 4a(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6a(a)) or other unfair trading practices;

(4) practices regarding the identification of commercial and noncommercial trading and the extent of market speculation; and

(5) agreements and practices for facilitating international cooperation on market oversight, compliance, and enforcement.

(c) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the heads of the Federal agencies described in subsection (a) shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that--

(1) describes the results of the study; and

(2) provides recommendations to improve openness, transparency, and other necessary elements of a properly functioning market.

SEC. 3. FOREIGN BOARDS OF TRADE.

Section 4 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(e) Foreign Boards of Trade.--

“(1) In general.--The Commission shall not permit a foreign board of trade's members or other participants located in the United States to enter trades directly into the foreign board of trade's trade matching system with respect to an agreement, contract, or transaction in an energy commodity (as defined by the Commission) that settles against any price, including the daily or final settlement price, of a contract or contracts listed for trading on a registered entity, unless--

“(A) the foreign board of trade makes public daily information on settlement prices, volume, open interest, and opening and closing ranges for the agreement, contract, or transaction that is comparable to the daily trade information published by the registered entity for the contract or contracts against which it settles;

“(B) the foreign board of trade or a foreign futures authority adopts position limitations (including related hedge exemption provisions) or position accountability for speculators for the agreement, contract, or transaction that are comparable to the position limitations (including related hedge exemption provisions) or position accountability adopted by the registered entity for the contract or contracts against which it settles; and

“(C) the foreign board of trade or a foreign futures authority provides such information to the Commission regarding the extent of speculative and non-speculative trading in the agreement, contract, or transaction that is comparable to the information the Commission determines is necessary to publish its weekly report of traders (commonly known as the Commitments of Traders report) for the contract or contracts against which it settles.

“(2) Existing foreign boards of trade.--Paragraph (1) shall become effective 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection with respect to any agreement, contract, or transaction in an energy commodity (as defined by the Commission) conducted on a foreign board of trade for which the Commission's staff had granted relief from the requirements of this Act prior to the date of enactment of this subsection.”.

SEC. 4. INDEX TRADERS AND SWAP DEALERS; DISAGGREGATION OF INDEX FUNDS.

Section 4 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) (as amended by section 3) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(f) Index Traders and Swap Dealers.--

“(1) Reporting.--The Commission shall--

“(A) issue a proposed rule regarding routine reporting requirements for index traders and swap dealers (as those terms are defined by the Commission) in energy and agricultural transactions (as those terms are defined by the Commission) within the jurisdiction of the Commission not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, and issue a final rule regarding such reporting requirements not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this subsection; and

“(B) subject to the provisions of section 8, disaggregate and make public monthly information on the positions and value of index funds and other passive, long-only positions in the energy and agricultural futures markets.

“(2) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report regarding--

“(A) the scope of commodity index trading in the futures markets;

“(B) whether classification of index traders and swap dealers in the futures markets can be improved for regulatory and reporting purposes; and

“(C) whether, based on a review of the trading practices for index traders in the futures markets--

“(i) index trading activity is adversely impacting the price discovery process in the futures markets; and

“(ii) different practices and controls should be required.”.

SEC. 5. IMPROVED OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT.

(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--

(1) crude oil prices are at record levels and consumers in the United States are paying record prices for gasoline;

(2) funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has been insufficient to cover the significant growth of the futures markets;

(3) since the establishment of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the volume of trading on futures exchanges has grown 8,000 percent while staffing numbers have decreased 12 percent; and

(4) in today's dynamic market environment, it is essential that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission receive the funding necessary to enforce existing authority to ensure that all commodity markets, including energy markets, are properly monitored for market manipulation.

(b) Additional Employees.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall hire at least 100 additional full-time employees--

(1) to increase the public transparency of operations in energy futures markets;

(2) to improve the enforcement in those markets; and

(3) to carry out such other duties as are prescribed by the Commission.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to any other funds made available to carry out the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for fiscal year 2009.

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Senate amendment submitted

July 24, 2008