Repeal of the Exempt Commercial Market and Exempt Board of Trade Exemptions, 59575-59578 [2015-25029]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 191 / Friday, October 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 206–544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766– 5680; Internet https:// www.myboeingfleet.com. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: https:// www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 16, 2015. Michael Kaszycki, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2015–24677 Filed 10–1–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION 17 CFR Parts 15, 18, 36, 40, 140 RIN 3038–AE10 Repeal of the Exempt Commercial Market and Exempt Board of Trade Exemptions Commodity Futures Trading Commission. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) is taking final action to revise its regulations by removing the part 36 regulations. Those regulations implemented provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (‘‘CEA’’) that established exempt boards of trade and exempt commercial markets—two categories of derivatives-trading platforms that were eliminated from the CEA by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the ‘‘Dodd-Frank Act’’). This action also removes various cross-references in other Commission regulations implicating exempt boards of trade and exempt commercial markets. DATES: This rulemaking is effective on October 2, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581; Dana R. Brown, Division of Market Oversight, telephone (202) 418– 5093 and email dbrown@cftc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act into law. 1 Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act 2 amended the CEA 3 to establish a comprehensive framework for the regulation of over-the-counter derivatives, also known as swaps. Among other reforms, Title VII requires that any person who operates a facility to trade swaps register as a designated contract market (‘‘DCM’’) or a swap execution facility (‘‘SEF’’); 4 the latter is a category of trading market newly established under the law. Concurrently, Title VII eliminated from the CEA two categories of exempt markets for the trading of derivatives originally established in the CEA by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 (‘‘CFMA’’): 5 exempt commercial markets (‘‘ECMs’’) and exempt boards of trade (‘‘EBOTs’’). Under the CFMA’s revisions to the CEA, ECMs could trade exempt commodities 6 (i.e. any commodity other than an excluded commodity 7 and agricultural commodities) on electronic trading facilities between eligible commercial entities 8 without complying with comprehensive designation criteria and core principles that were applicable to designated contract markets. A facility that elected to operate as an ECM was generally exempt from regulation, but was still required to comply with certain informational and recordkeeping requirements, if the market satisfied the asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:30 Oct 01, 2015 Jkt 238001 1 Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376 (July 21, 2010). 2 Pursuant to Section 701 of the Dodd-Frank Act, Title VII may be cited as the ‘‘Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010.’’ 3 7 U.S.C. 1 et seq. (2012). 4 Dodd-Frank Act Section 733 (amending the CEA to add new section 5h). 5 Public Law 106–554, 114 Stat. 2763 (December 21, 2000). 6 See CFMA Section 101(4) (amending CEA to add definition of ‘‘Exempt Commodity,’’ currently codified as CEA Section 1(a)(20), 7 U.S.C. 1a(20) (2012). 7 ‘‘Excluded Commodity’’ is also a statutorily defined term, currently codified as CEA Section 1(a)(19), 7 U.S.C. 1a(19) (2012). Generally characterized, the term captures, among other things specified financial instruments, measures, and indexes (e.g., securities and security indexes, currencies, interest rates, debt instruments, and credit ratings); any ‘‘other rate, differential, index, or measure of economic or commercial risk, return or value’’ not substantially based on the value of a narrow commodity group or solely based on a commodity or commodities with no cash value; and other economic or commercial indexes, or occurrences and contingencies associated with an economic consequence, beyond the control of parties to the relevant contract, agreement or transaction. 8 The definition of ‘‘Eligible Commercial Entity’’ is found in Section 1a(17) of the CEA. 7 U.S.C. 1a(17) (2006). PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 59575 conditions for the exemption found in Sections 2(h)(3) through (5) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 2(h)(3)–(5), including a requirement that the ECM notify the Commission of its intent to rely upon the exemption.9 Under CEA Section 5d, 7 U.S.C. 7a– 3, EBOTs were facilities that traded commodities (other than securities or securities indexes) that had a nearly inexhaustible deliverable supply and either no cash market or a cash market so liquid that any contract traded on the commodity was highly unlikely to be susceptible to manipulation. EBOT transactions were limited to eligible contract participants 10 and subject to minimal trading prohibitions, including anti-fraud and anti-manipulation restrictions. EBOTs were required to file notice with the Commission of their election to operate as an EBOT.11 Section 723 of the Dodd-Frank Act repealed CEA Section 2(h)(3) as it then existed,12 thus eliminating the ECM category. Section 734 of the Dodd-Frank Act similarly repealed CEA Section 5d,13 thus eliminating the EBOT category. Both Sections 723 and 734 of the Dodd-Frank Act contain grandfather provisions allowing existing ECMs and EBOTs to petition the Commission to continue to operate as ECMs and EBOTs subject to the requirements of the CEA Sections 2(h)(3) and 5d, respectively, for a limited period of time.14 Pursuant to these grandfather provisions, the Commission issued an order in September 2010 granting petitioning ECMs and EBOTs up to one year of grandfather relief from the general effective date of the Dodd-Frank Act amendments to the CEA (‘‘Grandfather Relief Order’’).15 Subsequent to the Grandfather Relief Order, the Commission issued a series 9 The Commission’s part 36 regulations established similar requirements for EBOTs. 10 The definition of ‘‘Eligible Contract Participant’’ is found in Section 1a(18) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 1a(18) (2012). 11 The Commission’s Part 36 regulations established similar requirements for ECMs. 12 The Dodd-Frank Act amended Section 2(h) of the CEA effective July 16, 2011, H.R. 4173, Section 723(a)(1), Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376, by striking existing subsection (h)—‘‘Transactions in exempt commodities’’ and inserting new subsection (h)—‘‘Clearing requirement’’ not addressed to exempt commercial markets. 13 The Dodd-Frank Act repealed Section 5d of the CEA effective July 16, 2011, H.R. 4173, Section 734(a), Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). 14 ECMs and EBOTs were permitted to continue operations until July 16, 2012 pursuant to a grandfather relief order issued by the Commission pursuant to Sections 723(c)(2)(B) and 734(c)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Act, respectively. 15 75 FR 56513 (September 16, 2010). E:\FR\FM\02OCR1.SGM 02OCR1 59576 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 191 / Friday, October 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES of orders 16 and Commission staff issued various no-action letters 17 that effectively extended expiration of the relief provided to ECMs and EBOTs in the Grandfather Relief Order. Collectively, the Grandfather Relief Order and subsequent Commission orders and staff no-action letters allowed ECMs and EBOTs, as well as other markets that relied on various preDodd-Frank Act provisions of the CEA,18 to continue operations under a regulatory status quo and, thus, ensured that industry practices would not be unduly disrupted during the transition to the new Dodd-Frank Act regulatory regime.19 The Grandfather Relief Order and various subsequent Commission orders have all expired, and entities that previously operated as ECMs or EBOTs are seeking registration to become either DCMs or SEFs to continue their operations. Accordingly, the Commission is removing all references to the Commission exemptive orders from Title 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations. As discussed in section III.A. below, the Commission is publishing this final rule pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), which provides that the requirements for notice and opportunity for public comment do not apply to ‘‘rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice . . . .’’ 20 The rulemaking conforms the Commission’s regulations to the statutory requirements of the CEA by removing provisions that are of no legal effect because they concern exempt market categories that Congress, through the Dodd-Frank Act, removed from the statute; the Commission has no authority or discretion under the statute to retain the ECM and EBOT category designations in its regulations. As such, the amendments effected through this rulemaking—which have no impact on substantive rights or obligations under 16 76 FR 42522 (July 19, 2011), 76 FR 80233 (December 23, 2011), and 77 FR 41260 (July 13, 2012). 17 CFTC No-Action Letter No. 12–48 (December 11, 2012), available at: https://www.cftc.gov/ucm/ groups/public/@lrlettergeneral/documents/letter/ 12-48.pdf and CFTC No-Action Letter No. 13–28 (June 17, 2013), available at: https://www.cftc.gov/ ucm/groups/public/@lrlettergeneral/documents/ letter/13-28.pdf. 18 See e.g., CEA Sections 2(d), 2(e), 2(g), 2(h), and 5d. 19 The Commission orders and no-action letters were generally structured to permit transactions and relevant persons and entities to continue to rely on various CEA exemptive and excluding provisions in place prior to July 16, 2011 subject to other conditions, various anti-fraud and antimanipulation prohibitions and the expiration of exemptive relief orders as various Dodd-Frank Act implementing regulations became effective. 20 See 5 U.S.C. 553(b) & (c). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:30 Oct 01, 2015 Jkt 238001 the CEA, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act—are entirely ministerial and procedural in nature. III. Administrative Compliance II. Amended Regulations The Administrative Procedure Act (‘‘APA’’) 23 generally requires a Federal agency to publish notice of a proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register and allow opportunity for public comment before propounding a final rule.24 This requirement does not apply, however, to non-legislative rules of ‘‘agency organization, procedure, or practice.’’ 25 In this case, the revisions to the Commission’s regulations in this rulemaking do not establish any new substantive or legislative rules. Rather, this final rule makes technical amendments to various Commission regulations to reflect the fact that Congress has eliminated the ECM and EBOT category designations from the CEA. As such, the amendments effected through this rulemaking—which have no impact on substantive rights or obligations under the CEA, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act—are entirely ministerial and procedural in nature. This final rule shall become effective upon publication in the Federal Register. A. Part 36 The Commission is removing part 36 of its regulations in its entirety in order to reflect the Dodd-Frank Act’s elimination of the two categories of exempt markets—ECMs and EBOTs— from the CEA. B. Parts 15, 18, 40, and 140 The Commission is removing from parts 15, 18, 40, and 140 all references to the Grandfather Relief Orders added to the Commission’s regulations by Adaptation of Regulations To Incorporate Swaps rulemaking,21 as the authority under which those orders were issued has expired, and is removing all references in the Commission’s regulations to the terms ECMs, EBOTs, and electronic trading facilities (as sometimes used in the Commission’s regulations to refer to ECMs).22 1. Regulation 15.05: Designation of agent for foreign persons. The Commission is removing from regulation 15.05 all references to contracts identified in part 36. 2. Regulation 18.05: Maintenance of books and records. The Commission is removing from regulation 18.05 all references to ECMs and EBOTs. 3. Regulation 40.8: Availability of public information. The Commission is removing from regulation 40.8 all references to electronic trading facilities on which significant price discovery contracts are traded or executed. 4. Appendix D to Part 40— Submission Cover Sheet and Instructions. The Commission is removing from Appendix D to part 40 the reference to electronic trading facilities with a significant price discovery contract. 5. Regulation 140.99: Requests for exemptive, no-action and interpretative letters. The Commission is removing from regulation 140.99 all references to ECMs and EBOTs. 21 Adaptation of Regulations To Incorporate Swaps, 77 FR 66288 (November 2, 2012). 22 The Commission proposed and finalized rules in the ‘‘Adaptation of Regulations to Incorporate SEFs’’ to make a number of conforming amendments to integrate the Commission’s regulations more fully with the new swaps framework created by the Dodd-Frank Act. 77 FR 66288 (November 2, 2012). PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 A. Administrative Procedure Act B. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires the Commission to consider whether the regulations it adopts will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.26 The Commission certifies that this rulemaking will have no significant impact on a substantial number of small entities as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act.27 There is no additional submission required as a result of this action. Accordingly, the Commission is not obligated to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis for this rulemaking. C. Paperwork Reduction Act The Commission may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection of information contained in a rulemaking unless the information collection displays a currently valid control number issued by the Office of Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act.28 This rulemaking contains no collection of information that obligates the Commission to obtain a control number from OMB. 23 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq. 5 U.S.C. 553(b) & (c). 25 See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). 26 See 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. 27 See id. 28 See 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. 24 See E:\FR\FM\02OCR1.SGM 02OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 191 / Friday, October 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations D. Cost-Benefit Considerations 1. Introduction Section 15(a) of the CEA requires the Commission to consider the costs and benefits of its actions before promulgating a regulation under the CEA or issuing certain orders.29 Section 15(a) further specifies that the costs and benefits shall be evaluated in light of five broad areas of market and public concern: (1) Protection of market participants and the public; (2) efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of futures markets; (3) price discovery; (4) sound risk management practices; and (5) other public interest considerations. The Commission considers the costs and benefits resulting from its discretionary determinations with respect to the Section 15(a) factors. The Commission is removing its Part 36 regulations and amending §§ 15.05, 18.05, 40.8, Appendix D to part 40, and § 140.00. Part 36 originally implemented provisions of the pre-Dodd-Frank CEA that established EBOTs and ECMs—two categories of derivatives-trading platforms that were eliminated from the CEA by the Dodd-Frank Act—while the other regulations contained references to ECM and EBOTs. The Commission is using the CEA, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, as the baseline for assessing whether and to what extent costs or benefits are likely to flow from the amendments, and is only considering the costs and benefits of its discretionary actions permissible within the parameters of the statute. 2. Costs Since the Dodd-Frank Act eliminated ECMs and EBOTs from the CEA, the Commission lacks authority to make or retain provisions for them within its regulations. Accordingly, there are no costs to the industry or the public associated with the amendments to remove implementing language for ECMs and EBOTs in part 36 and obsolete, vestigial references to ECMs and EBOTs in parts 15, 18, 40, and 140. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES 3. Benefits U.S.C. 19(a). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:30 Oct 01, 2015 List of Subjects 17 CFR Part 15 Brokers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 17 CFR Part 18 Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 17 CFR Part 36 Commodity futures. 17 CFR Part 40 Commodity futures, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 17 CFR Part 140 Authority delegations (government agencies), Conflicts of interest, Organization and functions (government agencies). For the reasons stated in the preamble, under the authority of Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission amends 17 CFR chapter I as set forth below: amended by Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). 2. Revise paragraph (a) of § 15.05 to read as follows: ■ § 15.05 Designation of agent for foreign persons. (a) For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘futures contract’’ means any contract for the purchase or sale of any commodity for future delivery, traded or executed on or subject to the rules of any designated contract market, or for the purposes of paragraph (i) of this section, a reporting market (including all agreements, contracts and transactions that are treated by a clearing organization as fungible with such contracts); the term ‘‘option contract’’ means any contract for the purchase or sale of a commodity option, or as applicable, any other instrument subject to the Act, traded or executed on or subject to the rules of any designated contract market, or for the purposes of paragraph (i) of this section, a reporting market (including all agreements, contracts and transactions that are treated by a clearing organization as fungible with such contracts); the term ‘‘customer’’ means any person for whose benefit a foreign broker makes or causes to be made any futures contract or option contract; and the term ‘‘communication’’ means any summons, complaint, order, subpoena, special call, request for information, or notice, as well as any other written document or correspondence. * * * * * PART 18—REPORTS BY TRADERS 3. The authority citation for part 18 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2, 4, 5, 6a, 6c, 6f, 6g, 6i, 6k, 6m, 6n, 6t, 12a, and 19, as amended by Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). § 18.05 [Amended] Jkt 238001 PART 15—REPORTS—GENERAL PROVISIONS 4. Amend § 18.05 as follows: ■ a. Remove paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4); ■ b. In paragraph (a)(2), add the word ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon at the end of the paragraph; and ■ c. Redesignate paragraph (a)(5) as paragraph (a)(3). 1. The authority citation for part 15 continues to read as follows: PART 36—[REMOVED AND RESERVED] Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2, 5, 6a, 6c, 6f, 6g, 6i, 6k, 6m, 6n, 7, 7a, 9, 12a, 19, and 21, as The Commission believes that market participants and the public will benefit from these ministerial rule amendments since they eliminate obsolete, vestigial provisions and references that otherwise could be construed to give rise to confusing inconsistencies between the Commission’s regulations and the provisions of the CEA, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act. 29 7 4. Section 15(a) Factors Protection of market participants and the public. By squaring its regulations with Dodd-Frank Act amendments to the CEA eliminating authorization for ECMs and EBOTs, the Commission believes it is furthering the interest of protecting market participants and the public. These amendments eliminate potential for confusion that otherwise might arise from retaining outdated provisions addressed to statutorilyobsolesced trading platforms. Efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of futures markets. The Commission believes that the amendments will not materially affect the efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of futures markets. Price discovery. The Commission believes that the amendments will not materially affect the price discovery process. Sound risk management practices. The Commission believes that the amendments will not materially affect sound risk management practices. Other public interest considerations. The Commission believes that the amendments will not materially affect other public interest considerations. 59577 ■ ■ PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 ■ 5. Remove and reserve part 36. E:\FR\FM\02OCR1.SGM 02OCR1 59578 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 191 / Friday, October 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations PART 40—PROVISIONS COMMON TO REGISTERED ENTITIES 6. The authority citation for part 40 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1a, 2, 5, 6, 7, 7a and 12, as amended by Titles VII and VIII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). § 40.8 [Amended] 7. Amend § 40.8 by removing and reserving paragraph (b). ■ 8. Revise Appendix D to part 40 to read as follows: ■ 9. The authority citation for part 140 continues to read as follows: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2(a)(12), 12a, 13(c), 13(d), 13(e), and 16(b). asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES Jkt 238001 10. Revise paragraph (d)(2)(i) of § 140.99 to read as follows: ■ (a) A properly completed submission cover sheet shall accompany all rule and product submissions submitted electronically by a registered entity in a format and manner specified by the Secretary of the Commission to the Secretary of the Commission. A properly completed submission cover sheet shall include all of the following: 1. Identifier Code (optional)—A registered entity Identifier Code at the top of the cover sheet, if applicable. Such codes are commonly generated by registered entities to provide an identifier that is unique to each filing (e.g., NYMEX Submission 03–116). 2. Date—The date of the filing. 3. Organization—The name of the organization filing the submission (e.g., CBOT). 4. Filing as a—Check in the appropriate box indicating that the rule or product is being submitted by a designated contract market (DCM), derivatives clearing organization (DCO), swap execution facility (SEF), or swap data repository (SDR). 5. Type of Filing—An indication as to whether the filing is a new rule, rule amendment or new product. The registered entity should check the appropriate box to indicate the applicable category under that heading. 6. Rule Numbers—For rule filings, the rule number(s) being adopted or modified in the case of rule amendment filings. 7. Description—For rule or rule amendment filings, a description of the new rule or rule amendment, including a discussion of its expected impact on the registered entity, market participants, and the overall market. The narrative should describe the substance of the submission with enough specificity to characterize all material aspects of the filing. (b) Other Requirements—A submission shall comply with all applicable filing requirements for proposed rules, rule amendments, or products. The filing of the submission cover sheet does not obviate the registered entity’s responsibility to comply with applicable filing requirements (e.g., rules submitted for Commission approval under § 40.5 must be accompanied by an explanation of the purpose and effect of the proposed rule along with a description of any substantive opposing views). (c) Checking the box marked ‘‘confidential treatment requested’’ on the Submission 20:30 Oct 01, 2015 PART 140—ORGANIZATION, FUNCTIONS, AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMMISSION ■ Appendix D to Part 40—Submission Cover Sheet and Instructions VerDate Sep<11>2014 Cover Sheet does not obviate the submitter’s responsibility to comply with all applicable requirements for requesting confidential treatment in § 40.8 and, where appropriate, § 145.9 of this chapter, and will not substitute for notice or full compliance with such requirements. § 140.99 Requests for exemptive, noaction and interpretative letters. * * * * * (d) * * * (2)(i) A request for a Letter relating to the provisions of the Act or the Commission’s rules, regulations or orders governing designated contract markets, registered swap execution facilities, registered swap data repositories, registered foreign boards of trade, the nature of particular transactions and whether they are exempt or excluded from being required to be traded on one of the foregoing entities, made available for trading determinations, position limits, hedging exemptions, position aggregation treatment or the reporting of market positions shall be filed with the Director, Division of Market Oversight, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581. * * * * * Issued in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2015, by the Commission. Christopher J. Kirkpatrick, Secretary of the Commission. NOTE: The following appendix will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. Appendix To Repeal of the Exempt Commercial Market and Exempt Board of Trade Exemptions—Commission Voting Summary On this matter, Chairman Massad and Commissioners Bowen and Giancarlo voted in the affirmative. No Commissioner voted in the negative. [FR Doc. 2015–25029 Filed 10–1–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6351–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 17 CFR Part 232 [Release Nos. 33–9911; 34–75918; 39–2506; IC–31823] Adoption of Updated EDGAR Filer Manual Securities and Exchange Commission. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) is adopting revisions to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System (EDGAR) Filer Manual and related rules to reflect updates to the EDGAR system. The updates are being made to add two new Security-based Swap Data Repository (SDR) submission form types; make available new exhibit EX–36 (Depositor Certification for shelf offerings of asset-backed securities) on EDGARLink Online for submission form types SF–3, SF–3/A, 8–K, and 8–K/A; accept Exhibit K and Exhibit L in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) format for submission form types SDR, SDR/A, SDR–A, and SDR–W; consider valid XBRL file attachments if they contain multiple identically tagged XBRL facts; make documentation updates to Chapter 2 of the ‘‘EDGAR Filer Manual, Volume I: General Information’’ and Chapters 2, 3, and 7 of the ‘‘EDGAR Filer Manual, Volume II: EDGAR Filing’’ relating to Form NRSRO; and make formatting changes to ‘‘EDGAR Filer Manual, Volume I: General Information’’, ‘‘EDGAR Filer Manual, Volume II: EDGAR Filing’’, and ‘‘EDGAR Filer Manual, Volume III: N–SAR Supplement’’ for compliance with Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act. The Filer Manual is also being revised to address software changes made previously in EDGAR. On July 10, 2015, Regulation A submission form types DOS, DOS/A, 1–A, 1–A/A, and 1–A POS were updated to prevent a filer from entering a response in Item 6(d) when the ‘‘None’’ option has been selected on Item 6. The EDGAR system is scheduled to be upgraded to support this functionality on September 14, 2015. SUMMARY: Effective October 2, 2015. The incorporation by reference of the EDGAR Filer Manual is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 2, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: In the Division of Trading and Markets, for DATES: E:\FR\FM\02OCR1.SGM 02OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59575-59578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25029]


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COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

17 CFR Parts 15, 18, 36, 40, 140

RIN 3038-AE10


Repeal of the Exempt Commercial Market and Exempt Board of Trade 
Exemptions

AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the ``Commission'') 
is taking final action to revise its regulations by removing the part 
36 regulations. Those regulations implemented provisions of the 
Commodity Exchange Act (``CEA'') that established exempt boards of 
trade and exempt commercial markets--two categories of derivatives-
trading platforms that were eliminated from the CEA by the Dodd-Frank 
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the ``Dodd-Frank 
Act''). This action also removes various cross-references in other 
Commission regulations implicating exempt boards of trade and exempt 
commercial markets.

DATES: This rulemaking is effective on October 2, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 
Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581; 
Dana R. Brown, Division of Market Oversight, telephone (202) 418-5093 
and email dbrown@cftc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act into 
law. \1\ Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act \2\ amended the CEA \3\ to 
establish a comprehensive framework for the regulation of over-the-
counter derivatives, also known as swaps. Among other reforms, Title 
VII requires that any person who operates a facility to trade swaps 
register as a designated contract market (``DCM'') or a swap execution 
facility (``SEF''); \4\ the latter is a category of trading market 
newly established under the law. Concurrently, Title VII eliminated 
from the CEA two categories of exempt markets for the trading of 
derivatives originally established in the CEA by the Commodity Futures 
Modernization Act of 2000 (``CFMA''): \5\ exempt commercial markets 
(``ECMs'') and exempt boards of trade (``EBOTs'').
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    \1\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (July 21, 2010).
    \2\ Pursuant to Section 701 of the Dodd-Frank Act, Title VII may 
be cited as the ``Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 
2010.''
    \3\ 7 U.S.C. 1 et seq. (2012).
    \4\ Dodd-Frank Act Section 733 (amending the CEA to add new 
section 5h).
    \5\ Public Law 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763 (December 21, 2000).
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    Under the CFMA's revisions to the CEA, ECMs could trade exempt 
commodities \6\ (i.e. any commodity other than an excluded commodity 
\7\ and agricultural commodities) on electronic trading facilities 
between eligible commercial entities \8\ without complying with 
comprehensive designation criteria and core principles that were 
applicable to designated contract markets. A facility that elected to 
operate as an ECM was generally exempt from regulation, but was still 
required to comply with certain informational and recordkeeping 
requirements, if the market satisfied the conditions for the exemption 
found in Sections 2(h)(3) through (5) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 2(h)(3)-(5), 
including a requirement that the ECM notify the Commission of its 
intent to rely upon the exemption.\9\
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    \6\ See CFMA Section 101(4) (amending CEA to add definition of 
``Exempt Commodity,'' currently codified as CEA Section 1(a)(20), 7 
U.S.C. 1a(20) (2012).
    \7\ ``Excluded Commodity'' is also a statutorily defined term, 
currently codified as CEA Section 1(a)(19), 7 U.S.C. 1a(19) (2012). 
Generally characterized, the term captures, among other things 
specified financial instruments, measures, and indexes (e.g., 
securities and security indexes, currencies, interest rates, debt 
instruments, and credit ratings); any ``other rate, differential, 
index, or measure of economic or commercial risk, return or value'' 
not substantially based on the value of a narrow commodity group or 
solely based on a commodity or commodities with no cash value; and 
other economic or commercial indexes, or occurrences and 
contingencies associated with an economic consequence, beyond the 
control of parties to the relevant contract, agreement or 
transaction.
    \8\ The definition of ``Eligible Commercial Entity'' is found in 
Section 1a(17) of the CEA. 7 U.S.C. 1a(17) (2006).
    \9\ The Commission's part 36 regulations established similar 
requirements for EBOTs.
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    Under CEA Section 5d, 7 U.S.C. 7a-3, EBOTs were facilities that 
traded commodities (other than securities or securities indexes) that 
had a nearly inexhaustible deliverable supply and either no cash market 
or a cash market so liquid that any contract traded on the commodity 
was highly unlikely to be susceptible to manipulation. EBOT 
transactions were limited to eligible contract participants \10\ and 
subject to minimal trading prohibitions, including anti-fraud and anti-
manipulation restrictions. EBOTs were required to file notice with the 
Commission of their election to operate as an EBOT.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ The definition of ``Eligible Contract Participant'' is 
found in Section 1a(18) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 1a(18) (2012).
    \11\ The Commission's Part 36 regulations established similar 
requirements for ECMs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 723 of the Dodd-Frank Act repealed CEA Section 2(h)(3) as 
it then existed,\12\ thus eliminating the ECM category. Section 734 of 
the Dodd-Frank Act similarly repealed CEA Section 5d,\13\ thus 
eliminating the EBOT category. Both Sections 723 and 734 of the Dodd-
Frank Act contain grandfather provisions allowing existing ECMs and 
EBOTs to petition the Commission to continue to operate as ECMs and 
EBOTs subject to the requirements of the CEA Sections 2(h)(3) and 5d, 
respectively, for a limited period of time.\14\ Pursuant to these 
grandfather provisions, the Commission issued an order in September 
2010 granting petitioning ECMs and EBOTs up to one year of grandfather 
relief from the general effective date of the Dodd-Frank Act amendments 
to the CEA (``Grandfather Relief Order'').\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The Dodd-Frank Act amended Section 2(h) of the CEA 
effective July 16, 2011, H.R. 4173, Section 723(a)(1), Public Law 
111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, by striking existing subsection (h)--
``Transactions in exempt commodities'' and inserting new subsection 
(h)--``Clearing requirement'' not addressed to exempt commercial 
markets.
    \13\ The Dodd-Frank Act repealed Section 5d of the CEA effective 
July 16, 2011, H.R. 4173, Section 734(a), Public Law 111-203, 124 
Stat. 1376 (2010).
    \14\ ECMs and EBOTs were permitted to continue operations until 
July 16, 2012 pursuant to a grandfather relief order issued by the 
Commission pursuant to Sections 723(c)(2)(B) and 734(c)(2) of the 
Dodd-Frank Act, respectively.
    \15\ 75 FR 56513 (September 16, 2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Subsequent to the Grandfather Relief Order, the Commission issued a 
series

[[Page 59576]]

of orders \16\ and Commission staff issued various no-action letters 
\17\ that effectively extended expiration of the relief provided to 
ECMs and EBOTs in the Grandfather Relief Order. Collectively, the 
Grandfather Relief Order and subsequent Commission orders and staff no-
action letters allowed ECMs and EBOTs, as well as other markets that 
relied on various pre-Dodd-Frank Act provisions of the CEA,\18\ to 
continue operations under a regulatory status quo and, thus, ensured 
that industry practices would not be unduly disrupted during the 
transition to the new Dodd-Frank Act regulatory regime.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 76 FR 42522 (July 19, 2011), 76 FR 80233 (December 23, 
2011), and 77 FR 41260 (July 13, 2012).
    \17\ CFTC No-Action Letter No. 12-48 (December 11, 2012), 
available at: https://www.cftc.gov/ucm/groups/public/@lrlettergeneral/documents/letter/12-48.pdf and CFTC No-Action 
Letter No. 13-28 (June 17, 2013), available at: https://www.cftc.gov/ucm/groups/public/@lrlettergeneral/documents/letter/13-28.pdf.
    \18\ See e.g., CEA Sections 2(d), 2(e), 2(g), 2(h), and 5d.
    \19\ The Commission orders and no-action letters were generally 
structured to permit transactions and relevant persons and entities 
to continue to rely on various CEA exemptive and excluding 
provisions in place prior to July 16, 2011 subject to other 
conditions, various anti-fraud and anti-manipulation prohibitions 
and the expiration of exemptive relief orders as various Dodd-Frank 
Act implementing regulations became effective.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Grandfather Relief Order and various subsequent Commission 
orders have all expired, and entities that previously operated as ECMs 
or EBOTs are seeking registration to become either DCMs or SEFs to 
continue their operations. Accordingly, the Commission is removing all 
references to the Commission exemptive orders from Title 17 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations.
    As discussed in section III.A. below, the Commission is publishing 
this final rule pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(A), which provides that the requirements for notice and 
opportunity for public comment do not apply to ``rules of agency 
organization, procedure, or practice . . . .'' \20\ The rulemaking 
conforms the Commission's regulations to the statutory requirements of 
the CEA by removing provisions that are of no legal effect because they 
concern exempt market categories that Congress, through the Dodd-Frank 
Act, removed from the statute; the Commission has no authority or 
discretion under the statute to retain the ECM and EBOT category 
designations in its regulations. As such, the amendments effected 
through this rulemaking--which have no impact on substantive rights or 
obligations under the CEA, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act--are 
entirely ministerial and procedural in nature.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ See 5 U.S.C. 553(b) & (c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Amended Regulations

A. Part 36

    The Commission is removing part 36 of its regulations in its 
entirety in order to reflect the Dodd-Frank Act's elimination of the 
two categories of exempt markets--ECMs and EBOTs--from the CEA.

B. Parts 15, 18, 40, and 140

    The Commission is removing from parts 15, 18, 40, and 140 all 
references to the Grandfather Relief Orders added to the Commission's 
regulations by Adaptation of Regulations To Incorporate Swaps 
rulemaking,\21\ as the authority under which those orders were issued 
has expired, and is removing all references in the Commission's 
regulations to the terms ECMs, EBOTs, and electronic trading facilities 
(as sometimes used in the Commission's regulations to refer to 
ECMs).\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ Adaptation of Regulations To Incorporate Swaps, 77 FR 66288 
(November 2, 2012).
    \22\ The Commission proposed and finalized rules in the 
``Adaptation of Regulations to Incorporate SEFs'' to make a number 
of conforming amendments to integrate the Commission's regulations 
more fully with the new swaps framework created by the Dodd-Frank 
Act. 77 FR 66288 (November 2, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1. Regulation 15.05: Designation of agent for foreign persons.
    The Commission is removing from regulation 15.05 all references to 
contracts identified in part 36.
    2. Regulation 18.05: Maintenance of books and records.
    The Commission is removing from regulation 18.05 all references to 
ECMs and EBOTs.
    3. Regulation 40.8: Availability of public information.
    The Commission is removing from regulation 40.8 all references to 
electronic trading facilities on which significant price discovery 
contracts are traded or executed.
    4. Appendix D to Part 40--Submission Cover Sheet and Instructions.
    The Commission is removing from Appendix D to part 40 the reference 
to electronic trading facilities with a significant price discovery 
contract.
    5. Regulation 140.99: Requests for exemptive, no-action and 
interpretative letters.
    The Commission is removing from regulation 140.99 all references to 
ECMs and EBOTs.

III. Administrative Compliance

A. Administrative Procedure Act

    The Administrative Procedure Act (``APA'') \23\ generally requires 
a Federal agency to publish notice of a proposed rulemaking in the 
Federal Register and allow opportunity for public comment before 
propounding a final rule.\24\ This requirement does not apply, however, 
to non-legislative rules of ``agency organization, procedure, or 
practice.'' \25\ In this case, the revisions to the Commission's 
regulations in this rulemaking do not establish any new substantive or 
legislative rules. Rather, this final rule makes technical amendments 
to various Commission regulations to reflect the fact that Congress has 
eliminated the ECM and EBOT category designations from the CEA. As 
such, the amendments effected through this rulemaking--which have no 
impact on substantive rights or obligations under the CEA, as amended 
by the Dodd-Frank Act--are entirely ministerial and procedural in 
nature. This final rule shall become effective upon publication in the 
Federal Register.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.
    \24\ See 5 U.S.C. 553(b) & (c).
    \25\ See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires the Commission to consider 
whether the regulations it adopts will have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.\26\ The Commission 
certifies that this rulemaking will have no significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities as defined in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act.\27\ There is no additional submission required as a 
result of this action. Accordingly, the Commission is not obligated to 
conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis for this rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ See 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
    \27\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Commission may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information contained in a 
rulemaking unless the information collection displays a currently valid 
control number issued by the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') 
pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act.\28\ This rulemaking contains 
no collection of information that obligates the Commission to obtain a 
control number from OMB.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ See 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 59577]]

D. Cost-Benefit Considerations

1. Introduction
    Section 15(a) of the CEA requires the Commission to consider the 
costs and benefits of its actions before promulgating a regulation 
under the CEA or issuing certain orders.\29\ Section 15(a) further 
specifies that the costs and benefits shall be evaluated in light of 
five broad areas of market and public concern: (1) Protection of market 
participants and the public; (2) efficiency, competitiveness, and 
financial integrity of futures markets; (3) price discovery; (4) sound 
risk management practices; and (5) other public interest 
considerations. The Commission considers the costs and benefits 
resulting from its discretionary determinations with respect to the 
Section 15(a) factors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ 7 U.S.C. 19(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission is removing its Part 36 regulations and amending 
Sec. Sec.  15.05, 18.05, 40.8, Appendix D to part 40, and Sec.  140.00. 
Part 36 originally implemented provisions of the pre-Dodd-Frank CEA 
that established EBOTs and ECMs--two categories of derivatives-trading 
platforms that were eliminated from the CEA by the Dodd-Frank Act--
while the other regulations contained references to ECM and EBOTs. The 
Commission is using the CEA, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, as the 
baseline for assessing whether and to what extent costs or benefits are 
likely to flow from the amendments, and is only considering the costs 
and benefits of its discretionary actions permissible within the 
parameters of the statute.
2. Costs
    Since the Dodd-Frank Act eliminated ECMs and EBOTs from the CEA, 
the Commission lacks authority to make or retain provisions for them 
within its regulations. Accordingly, there are no costs to the industry 
or the public associated with the amendments to remove implementing 
language for ECMs and EBOTs in part 36 and obsolete, vestigial 
references to ECMs and EBOTs in parts 15, 18, 40, and 140.
3. Benefits
    The Commission believes that market participants and the public 
will benefit from these ministerial rule amendments since they 
eliminate obsolete, vestigial provisions and references that otherwise 
could be construed to give rise to confusing inconsistencies between 
the Commission's regulations and the provisions of the CEA, as amended 
by the Dodd-Frank Act.
4. Section 15(a) Factors
    Protection of market participants and the public. By squaring its 
regulations with Dodd-Frank Act amendments to the CEA eliminating 
authorization for ECMs and EBOTs, the Commission believes it is 
furthering the interest of protecting market participants and the 
public. These amendments eliminate potential for confusion that 
otherwise might arise from retaining outdated provisions addressed to 
statutorily-obsolesced trading platforms.
    Efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of futures 
markets. The Commission believes that the amendments will not 
materially affect the efficiency, competitiveness, and financial 
integrity of futures markets.
    Price discovery. The Commission believes that the amendments will 
not materially affect the price discovery process.
    Sound risk management practices. The Commission believes that the 
amendments will not materially affect sound risk management practices.
    Other public interest considerations. The Commission believes that 
the amendments will not materially affect other public interest 
considerations.

List of Subjects

17 CFR Part 15

    Brokers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

17 CFR Part 18

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

17 CFR Part 36

    Commodity futures.

17 CFR Part 40

    Commodity futures, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

17 CFR Part 140

    Authority delegations (government agencies), Conflicts of interest, 
Organization and functions (government agencies).

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, under the authority of 
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection 
Act, Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010), the Commodity Futures 
Trading Commission amends 17 CFR chapter I as set forth below:

PART 15--REPORTS--GENERAL PROVISIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 15 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2, 5, 6a, 6c, 6f, 6g, 6i, 6k, 6m, 6n, 7, 7a, 
9, 12a, 19, and 21, as amended by Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall 
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 
Stat. 1376 (2010).


0
2. Revise paragraph (a) of Sec.  15.05 to read as follows:


Sec.  15.05  Designation of agent for foreign persons.

    (a) For purposes of this section, the term ``futures contract'' 
means any contract for the purchase or sale of any commodity for future 
delivery, traded or executed on or subject to the rules of any 
designated contract market, or for the purposes of paragraph (i) of 
this section, a reporting market (including all agreements, contracts 
and transactions that are treated by a clearing organization as 
fungible with such contracts); the term ``option contract'' means any 
contract for the purchase or sale of a commodity option, or as 
applicable, any other instrument subject to the Act, traded or executed 
on or subject to the rules of any designated contract market, or for 
the purposes of paragraph (i) of this section, a reporting market 
(including all agreements, contracts and transactions that are treated 
by a clearing organization as fungible with such contracts); the term 
``customer'' means any person for whose benefit a foreign broker makes 
or causes to be made any futures contract or option contract; and the 
term ``communication'' means any summons, complaint, order, subpoena, 
special call, request for information, or notice, as well as any other 
written document or correspondence.
* * * * *

PART 18--REPORTS BY TRADERS

0
3. The authority citation for part 18 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2, 4, 5, 6a, 6c, 6f, 6g, 6i, 6k, 6m, 6n, 6t, 
12a, and 19, as amended by Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 
Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 
(2010).


Sec.  18.05  [Amended]

0
4. Amend Sec.  18.05 as follows:
0
a. Remove paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4);
0
b. In paragraph (a)(2), add the word ``and'' after the semicolon at the 
end of the paragraph; and
0
c. Redesignate paragraph (a)(5) as paragraph (a)(3).

PART 36--[REMOVED AND RESERVED]

0
5. Remove and reserve part 36.

[[Page 59578]]

PART 40--PROVISIONS COMMON TO REGISTERED ENTITIES

0
6. The authority citation for part 40 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1a, 2, 5, 6, 7, 7a and 12, as amended by 
Titles VII and VIII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and 
Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010).


Sec.  40.8  [Amended]

0
7. Amend Sec.  40.8 by removing and reserving paragraph (b).

0
8. Revise Appendix D to part 40 to read as follows:

Appendix D to Part 40--Submission Cover Sheet and Instructions

    (a) A properly completed submission cover sheet shall accompany 
all rule and product submissions submitted electronically by a 
registered entity in a format and manner specified by the Secretary 
of the Commission to the Secretary of the Commission. A properly 
completed submission cover sheet shall include all of the following:
    1. Identifier Code (optional)--A registered entity Identifier 
Code at the top of the cover sheet, if applicable. Such codes are 
commonly generated by registered entities to provide an identifier 
that is unique to each filing (e.g., NYMEX Submission 03-116).
    2. Date--The date of the filing.
    3. Organization--The name of the organization filing the 
submission (e.g., CBOT).
    4. Filing as a--Check in the appropriate box indicating that the 
rule or product is being submitted by a designated contract market 
(DCM), derivatives clearing organization (DCO), swap execution 
facility (SEF), or swap data repository (SDR).
    5. Type of Filing--An indication as to whether the filing is a 
new rule, rule amendment or new product. The registered entity 
should check the appropriate box to indicate the applicable category 
under that heading.
    6. Rule Numbers--For rule filings, the rule number(s) being 
adopted or modified in the case of rule amendment filings.
    7. Description--For rule or rule amendment filings, a 
description of the new rule or rule amendment, including a 
discussion of its expected impact on the registered entity, market 
participants, and the overall market. The narrative should describe 
the substance of the submission with enough specificity to 
characterize all material aspects of the filing.
    (b) Other Requirements--A submission shall comply with all 
applicable filing requirements for proposed rules, rule amendments, 
or products. The filing of the submission cover sheet does not 
obviate the registered entity's responsibility to comply with 
applicable filing requirements (e.g., rules submitted for Commission 
approval under Sec.  40.5 must be accompanied by an explanation of 
the purpose and effect of the proposed rule along with a description 
of any substantive opposing views).
    (c) Checking the box marked ``confidential treatment requested'' 
on the Submission Cover Sheet does not obviate the submitter's 
responsibility to comply with all applicable requirements for 
requesting confidential treatment in Sec.  40.8 and, where 
appropriate, Sec.  145.9 of this chapter, and will not substitute 
for notice or full compliance with such requirements.

PART 140--ORGANIZATION, FUNCTIONS, AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMMISSION

0
9. The authority citation for part 140 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 2(a)(12), 12a, 13(c), 13(d), 13(e), and 
16(b).


0
10. Revise paragraph (d)(2)(i) of Sec.  140.99 to read as follows:


Sec.  140.99  Requests for exemptive, no-action and interpretative 
letters.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2)(i) A request for a Letter relating to the provisions of the Act 
or the Commission's rules, regulations or orders governing designated 
contract markets, registered swap execution facilities, registered swap 
data repositories, registered foreign boards of trade, the nature of 
particular transactions and whether they are exempt or excluded from 
being required to be traded on one of the foregoing entities, made 
available for trading determinations, position limits, hedging 
exemptions, position aggregation treatment or the reporting of market 
positions shall be filed with the Director, Division of Market 
Oversight, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette 
Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2015, by the 
Commission.
Christopher J. Kirkpatrick,
Secretary of the Commission.

    NOTE: The following appendix will not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

Appendix To Repeal of the Exempt Commercial Market and Exempt Board of 
Trade Exemptions--Commission Voting Summary

    On this matter, Chairman Massad and Commissioners Bowen and 
Giancarlo voted in the affirmative. No Commissioner voted in the 
negative.

[FR Doc. 2015-25029 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6351-01-P
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