S.Amdt. 5155

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. 2. Definition of energy commodity.

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

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   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.

   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.

   Inserted: SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

   [struck: (a) Definition ][inserted: For the purposes ]of [struck: Energy Commodity.--Section 1a ][inserted: this Act, the term "excessive speculation" has the meaning described in section 4a(a) ]of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. [struck: 1a][inserted: 6a(a])[struck: is amended--][inserted: ).]

   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

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   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.

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

   Struck: "(e) Foreign Boards of Trade.--

   Struck: "(1) In general.--The Commission may not permit a foreign board of trade to provide to the members of the foreign board of trade or other participants located in the United States, or otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, direct access to the electronic trading and order matching system of the foreign board of trade with respect to an agreement, contract, or transaction in an 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, unless--

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

   Struck: "(i) makes public daily trading information regarding the agreement, contract, or transaction that is comparable to the daily trading information published by the registered entity for the 1 or more contracts against which the foreign board of trade settles; 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

   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) adopts position limits (including related hedge exemption provisions), speculation limits, or position accountability provisions for speculators for the agreement, contract, or transaction that are comparable to the position limits (including related hedge exemption provisions), speculation limits, or position accountability provisions adopted by the registered entity for the 1 or more contracts against which the foreign board of trade settles;

   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) provides information to the Commission regarding the extent of legitimate and nonlegitimate hedge trading in the agreement, contract, or transaction that is comparable to the information that the Commission determines to be necessary to publish the commitments of traders report of the Commission for the 1 or more contracts against which the foreign board of trade settles.

   Struck: "(2) Existing foreign boards of trade.--Paragraph (1) shall not be effective with respect to any agreement, contract, or transaction in an energy commodity executed on a foreign board of trade to which the Commission had granted direct access permission prior to the date of enactment of this subsection until the date that is 180 days after 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--

   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.".

   Struck: SEC. 8. INDEX TRADERS AND SWAP DEALERS.

   Struck: 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--

   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.

   Inserted: SEC. 3. SENSE OF SENATE ON THE NEED FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN AND REGULATORY RESOURCES OVERSEEING THE ENERGY FUTURES MARKETS.

   Inserted: (a) Sense of Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that--

   Inserted: (1) excessive speculation may be adding to the price of oil and other energy commodities;

   Inserted: (2) the public and Congress are concerned that because the regulator of the energy futures markets, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, does not have access to all of the national and international data required to fully assess the role of excessive speculation, it cannot definitively determine whether energy futures prices are being driven solely by supply and demand;

   Inserted: (3) the staffing levels of the Commission have dropped to the lowest levels in the 33-year history of the Commission, thereby making it difficult for the Commission to analyze the growing volumes of futures transactions adequately;

   Inserted: (4) the acting Chairman of the Commission has said publicly that an additional 100 employees are needed in light of the inflow of trading data; and

   Inserted: (5) a more robust regulator over the energy futures markets can help restore public confidence in the proper functioning of energy futures markets with respect to the price discovery mechanism they are meant to provide, at least in part by more aggressively applying and enforcing section 9 of the Act, including provisions relating to manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; and

   Inserted: (6) the Commodity Futures Trading Commission should be provided with additional resources sufficient to--

   Inserted: (A) help restore public confidence in energy commodities markets;

   Inserted: (B) significantly improve the information technology capabilities of the Commission to help the Commission effectively regulate energy futures markets; and

   Inserted: (C) fund at least 100 new full-time positions at the Commission to oversee energy commodity market speculation and to enforce the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).

   Inserted: SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL COMMISSION EMPLOYEES FOR IMPROVED OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT.

   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:

   "(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)--

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

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

   "(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");

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   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.

   SEC. [struck: 12][inserted: 5]. STUDY OF [struck: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR][inserted: INTERNATIONAL REGULATION OF] ENERGY [inserted: COMMODITY ]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.

   Inserted: (a) 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.

   (b) [struck: Elements of Study][inserted: Analysis].--The study shall include[inserted: an analysis of, at a minimum]--

   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--

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   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][inserted: 1]) key common features and differences among countries in the regulation of energy commodity trading, including [struck: with respect to ]market oversight and enforcement standards and activities;

   ([struck: B][inserted: 2]) variations among countries [struck: with respect to ][inserted: in ]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][inserted: 3]) variations in practices regarding the differentiation of commercial and noncommercial trading;

   ([struck: D][inserted: 4]) agreements and practices for sharing market and trading data [struck: among][inserted: between] regulatory bodies and [struck: among][inserted: between] individual regulators and the entities [struck: that the bodies and regulators ][inserted: they ]oversee; and

   ([struck: E][inserted: 5]) agreements and practices for facilitating international cooperation on market oversight, compliance, and enforcement.

   ([struck: 3][inserted: c]) Report.--Not later than [struck: 1 year][inserted: 120 days] after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that--

   ([struck: A][inserted: 1]) describes the results of the study;

   ([struck: B][inserted: 2]) addresses the effects of excessive speculation and energy price volatility on energy futures; and

   ([struck: C][inserted: 3]) 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;

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   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.--

   Struck: (1) In general.--The Commission shall 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.

   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: SEC. 6. SPECULATIVE LIMITS AND TRANSPARENCY FOR OFF-SHORE OIL TRADING.

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

   Inserted: "(e) Foreign Boards of Trade.--

   Inserted: "(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 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--

   Inserted: "(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 trading information published by the registered entity for the contract or contracts against which it settles;

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

   Inserted: "(C) the foreign board of trade or foreign futures authority has the authority to require or direct market participants to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position it deems necessary to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process;

   Inserted: "(D) the foreign board of trade or foreign futures authority provides such information to the Commission regarding the extent of speculative and nonspeculative trading in the agreement, contract, or transaction that is comparable to the information the Commission determines is necessary to publish its Commitment of Traders report for the contract or contracts against which it settles; and

   Inserted: "(E) the foreign board of trade or foreign futures authority regularly notifies the Commission before implementing any regulatory changes regarding the information it will make public, the position and accountability limits it will adopt and enforce, the position reductions it will require to prevent manipulation, or any other area of interest expressed by the Commission.

   Inserted: "(2) Existing foreign boards of trade.--Paragraph (1) shall become effective 6 months 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 had granted relief prior to the date of enactment of this subsection.".

   Inserted: SEC. 7. COMMISSION AUTHORITY OVER TRADERS.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--

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   Inserted: (1) 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".

   Inserted: (2) Excessive speculation as a burden on interstate commerce.--Section 4a(e) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6a(e)) is amended by adding after "fixed by the Commission." the following: "It shall be a violation of this Act for any person located within the United States, its territories, or possessions, or who enters trades into a foreign board of trade's trade matching system from the United States, its territories, or possessions, 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 which may be done or positions which may be held under contacts of a sale of an energy commodity (as defined by the Commission) for future delivery or under options on such contracts or commodities, that settle against any price, including the daily or final settlement price, of a contract or contracts listed for trading on a registered entity."

   Inserted: (3) 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 adding after the first sentence the following: "The Commission may adopt rules and regulations requiring the keeping of books and records by any person located within the United States, its territories, or possessions, or who enters trades into a foreign board of trade's trade matching system from the United States, its territories, or possessions."

   Inserted: (b) Consultation.--Prior to the issuance of any order to reduce a position on a foreign board of trade located outside located outside the United States, its territories, or possessions, the Commission shall consult with the foreign board of trade and the appropriate regulatory authority.

   Inserted: (c) Administration.--Nothing in this subsection limits any of the otherwise applicable authorities of the Commission.

   Inserted: SEC. 8. DETAILED REPORTING FROM INDEX TRADERS AND SWAP DEALERS.

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

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

   Inserted: "(1) Reporting.--The Commission shall--

   Inserted: "(A) issue a proposed rule defining and classifying index traders and swap dealers (as those terms are defined in the rulemaking by the Commission) for purposes of data reporting requirements and setting routine detailed reporting requirements for such entities in energy and agricultural transactions within the jurisdiction of the Commission not later than 60 days after the enactment of this subsection, and issue a final rule within 120 days after the 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 positions in the energy and agricultural futures markets, comparing these positions and values to the speculative positions of bona fide physical hedgers in those markets.

   Inserted: "(2) Report.--The Commission shall submit a report to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the House Agriculture Committee, not later than September 15, 2008, regarding--

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

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

   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.".

   Original wording

   Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:

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As printed