Annual Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties To Reflect Inflation-2019, 3103-3105 [2019-01852]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2019 / Rules and Regulations FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [FR Doc. 2019–01731 Filed 2–8–19; 8:45 am] Edward J. Riccobene, Associate Chief Counsel, Division of Enforcement, at (202) 418–5327 or ericcobene@cftc.gov, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 1155 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20581. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BILLING CODE 3510–HR–P COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION 17 CFR Part 143 RIN 3038–AE69 Annual Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties To Reflect Inflation—2019 Commodity Futures Trading Commission. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) is amending its rules governing the maximum amount of civil monetary penalties to adjust for inflation. This rule sets forth the maximum, inflationadjusted dollar amount for civil monetary penalties (CMPs) assessable for violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and Commission rules, regulations and orders thereunder. The rule, as amended, implements the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended. DATES: This rule is effective on February 11, 2019 and is applicable to penalties assessed after January 15, 2019. SUMMARY: I. Background The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (FCPIAA) 1 requires the head of each Federal agency to periodically adjust for inflation the minimum and maximum amount of CMPs provided by law within the jurisdiction of that agency.2 A 2015 amendment to the FCPIAA 3 required agencies to make an initial ‘‘catch-up’’ adjustment to its civil monetary penalties effective no later than August 1, 2016.4 For every year thereafter effective not later than January 15, the FCPIAA, as amended, requires agencies to make annual adjustments for inflation, with guidance from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.5 II. Commodity Exchange Act Civil Monetary Penalties The following sections of the CEA provide for CMPs that meet the FCPIAA definition 6 and these CMPs are, therefore, subject to the inflation 3103 adjustment: Sections 6(c), 6b, and 6c of the CEA.7 III. Annual Inflation Adjustment for Commodity Exchange Act Civil Monetary Penalties A. Methodology The FCPIAA annual inflation adjustment, in the context of the CFTC’s CMPs, is determined by increasing the maximum penalty by a ‘‘cost-of-living adjustment’’, rounded to the nearest multiple of one dollar.8 Annual inflation adjustments are based on the percent change between the October Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI–U) preceding the date of the adjustment, and the prior year’s October CPI–U.9 In this case, the October 2018 CPI–U (252.885)/October 2017 CPI–U (246.663) = 1.02522.10 In order to complete the 2019 annual adjustment, the CFTC must multiply each of its most recent CMP amounts by the multiplier, 1.02522, and round to the nearest dollar.11 B. Civil Monetary Penalty Adjustments Applying the FCPIAA annual inflation adjustment methodology results in the following amended CMPs: Violations occurring on or after 11/02/2015 U.S. code citation Penalty amount in 2018 final rule 12 Civil monetary penalty description CPI–U multiplier New adjusted penalty amount Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by the Commission in an Administrative Action 7 U.S.C. 9 (Section 6(c) of the Commodity Exchange Act). 7 U.S.C. 13a (Section 6b of the Commodity Exchange Act). For any person other than a registered entity 1. Non-Manipulation or Attempted Manipulation. For any person other than a registered entity 1. For a registered entity 1 or any of its directors, officers or employees. Manipulation or Attempted Manipulation. Non-Manipulation or Attempted Manipulation. 1 The FCPIAA, Public Law 101–410 (1990), as amended, is codified at 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. The FCPIAA states that the purpose of the FCPIAA is to establish a mechanism that (1) allows for regular adjustment for inflation of civil monetary penalties; (2) maintains the deterrent effect of civil monetary penalties and promote compliance with the law; and (3) improves the collection by the Federal Government of civil monetary penalties. 2 For the relevant CMPs within the Commission’s jurisdiction, the Act provides only for maximum amounts that can be assessed for each violation of the Act or the rules, regulations and orders promulgated thereunder; the Act does not set forth any minimum penalties. Therefore, the remainder of this release will refer only to CMP maximums. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Feb 08, 2019 Jkt 247001 3 Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, Public Law 114–74, 129 Stat. 584 (2015) (2015 Act), title VII, Section 701. 4 FCPIAA Sections 4 and 5. See also, Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties for Inflation, 81 FR 41435 (June 27, 2016). 5 FCPIAA Sections 4 and 5. See also, Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget Memorandum, M–19–04, Implementation of Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2019, Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Dec. 14, 2018) (2018 OMB Guidance) (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2017/11/m_19_04.pdf). 6 FCPIAA Section 3(2). 7 7 U.S.C. 9, 13a–1, 13b. Criminal authorities may also seek fines for criminal violations of the CEA PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 $161,115 1.02552 $165,227 $1,162,183 1.02552 $1,191,842 $887,509 1.02552 $910,158 (see 7 U.S.C. 13, 13(c), 13(d), 13(e), and 13b). The FCPIA does not affect the amounts of these criminal penalties. 8 FCPIAA Sections 4 and 5. 9 FCPIAA Section 5(b)(1). 10 The CPI–U is published by the Department of Labor. Interested parties may find the relevant Consumer Price Index on the internet. To access this information, go to the Consumer Price Index Home Page at: http://www.bls.gov/cpi/. Click the ‘‘CPI Data/Databases’’ heading, and select ‘‘All Urban Consumers (Current Series)’’, ‘‘Top Picks.’’ Then check the box for ‘‘U.S. All items, 1982–84 = 100—CUUR0000SA0’’, and click the ‘‘Retrieve data’’ button. 11 2018 OMB Guidance at 3. E:\FR\FM\11FER1.SGM 11FER1 3104 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2019 / Rules and Regulations For a registered entity 1 or any of its directors, officers or employees. Manipulation or Attempted Manipulation. $1,162,183 1.02552 $1,191,842 $177,501 1.02552 $182,031 $1,162,183 1.02552 $1,191,842 Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by a Federal District Court in a Civil Injunctive Action 7 U.S.C. 13a–1 (Section 6c of the Commodity Exchange Act). 1 The Any Person ........................... Non-Manipulation or Attempted Manipulation. Any Person ........................... Manipulation or Attempted Manipulation. term ‘‘Registered Entity’’ is defined in 7 U.S.C. 1a (Section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act). The FCPIAA provides that any increase under the FCPIAA in a civil monetary penalty shall apply only to civil monetary penalties, including those whose associated violation predated such increase, which are assessed after the date the increase takes effect.’’ 13 Thus, the new CMP amounts established by this rulemaking shall apply to penalties assessed after January 15, 2019, for violations that occurred on or after November 2, 2015, the effective date of the FCPIAA amendment requiring annual adjustments, the 2015 Act. IV. Administrative Compliance A. Notice Requirement The FCPIAA specifically exempted from the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) the rulemakings required to implement annual inflation adjustments.14 ‘‘This means that the public procedure the APA generally requires (i.e.,—notice, an opportunity for comment, and a delay in effective date) is not required for agencies to issue regulations implementing the annual adjustment.’’ 15 The Commission further notes that the notice and comment procedures of the APA do not apply to this rulemaking because the Commission is acting herein pursuant to statutory language that mandates that the Commission act in a nondiscretionary matter.16 B. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act 17 requires agencies with rulemaking authority to consider the impact of certain of their rules on small 12 83 FR 9426. Section 6. 14 FCPIAA Section 4(b)(2). 15 2018 OMB Guidance at 4. 16 Lake Carriers’ Ass’n v. E.P.A., 652 F.3d 1, 10 (D.C. Cir. 2011). 17 5 U.S.C. 601–612. 13 FCPIAA VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Feb 08, 2019 Jkt 247001 businesses. A regulatory flexibility analysis is only required for rules for which the agency publishes a general notice of proposed rulemaking pursuant to section 553(b) or any other law.18 Because, as discussed above, the Commission is not obligated by section 553(b) or any other law to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to the revisions being made to § 143.8, the Commission additionally is not obligated to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis. C. Paperwork Reduction Act The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),19 which imposes certain requirements on Federal agencies, including the Commission, in connection with their conducting or sponsoring any collection of information as defined by the PRA, does not apply to this rule. This rule amendment does not contain information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget. D. Consideration of Costs and Benefits Section 15(a) of the CEA 20 requires the Commission to consider the costs and benefits of its action before issuing a new regulation. Section 15(a) further specifies that 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 believes that benefits of this rulemaking greatly outweigh the costs, if any. As the 18 5 U.S.C. 603(a). U.S.C. 3507(d). 20 7 U.S.C. 19(a). 19 44 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Commission understands, the statutory provisions by which it is making costof-living adjustments to the CMPs in § 143.8 were enacted to ensure that CMPs do not lose their deterrence value because of inflation. An analysis of the costs and benefits of these adjustments were made before enactment of the statutory provisions under which the Commission is operating, and limit the discretion of the Commission to the extent that there are no regulatory choices the Commission could make that would supersede the pre-enactment analysis with respect to the five factors enumerated in section 15(a), or any other factors. List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 143 Civil monetary penalties, Claims. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission amends part 143 of title 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows: PART 143—COLLECTION OF CLAIMS OWED THE UNITED STATES ARISING FROM ACTIVITIES UNDER THE COMMISSION’S JURISDICTION 1. The authority citation for part 143 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 7 U.S.C. 9, 15, 9a, 12a(5), 13a, 13a–1(d), 13(a), 13b; 31 U.S.C. 3701–3720E; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. ■ 2. Revise § 143.8(b) to read as follows: § 143.8 Inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties. * * * * * (b) 2019 Inflation adjustment. The maximum amount of each civil monetary penalty in the following charts applies to penalties assessed after January 15, 2019: (1) For non-manipulation or attempted manipulation violations: E:\FR\FM\11FER1.SGM 11FER1 3105 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (b)(1) Date of violation and corresponding penalty U.S. code citation Civil monetary penalty description 10/23/2004 through 10/22/2008 10/23/2008 through 10/22/2012 10/23/2012 through 11/01/2015 11/02/2015 to present Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by the Commission in an Administrative Action 7 U.S.C. 9 (Section 6(c) of the Commodity Exchange Act). 7 U.S.C. 13a (Section 6b of the Commodity Exchange Act). For any person other than a registered entity 1. For a registered entity 1 or any of its directors, officers or employees. $130,000 $130,000 $140,000 $165,227 $625,000 $675,000 $700,000 $910,158 $140,000 $182,031 Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by a Federal District Court in a Civil Injunctive Action 7 U.S.C. 13a–1 (Section 6c of the Commodity Exchange Act). 1 The Any Person ....................................... $130,000 $140,000 term ‘‘Registered Entity’’ is defined in 7 U.S.C. 1a (Section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act). (2) For manipulation or attempted manipulation violations: TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (b)(2) Date of violation and corresponding penalty U.S. code citation Civil monetary penalty description 10/23/2004 through 05/21/2008 05/22/2008 through 08/14/2011 08/15/2011 through 11/01/2015 11/02/2015 to present Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by the Commission in an Administrative Action 7 U.S.C. 9 (Section 6(c) of the Commodity Exchange Act). 7 U.S.C. 13a (Section 6b of the Commodity Exchange Act). For any person other than a registered entity 1. For a registered entity 1 or any of its directors, officers or employees. $130,000 $1,000,000 $1,025,000 $1,191,842 $625,000 $1,000,000 $1,025,000 $1,191,842 Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by a Federal District Court in a Civil Injunctive Action 7 U.S.C. 13a–1 (Section 6c of the Commodity Exchange Act). 1 The Any Person ....................................... $130,000 $1,000,000 $1,025,000 $1,191,842 term ‘‘Registered Entity’’ is defined in 7 U.S.C. 1a (Section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act). Issued in Washington, DC, on February 6, 2019, by the Commission. Robert Sidman, Deputy Secretary of the Commission. Note: The following appendix will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Feb 08, 2019 Jkt 247001 Civil Penalty Assessment for Misuse of Department of the Treasury Names, Symbols, Etc. Department of the Treasury. ACTION: Direct final rule. This rule amends regulations that provide civil penalties for misuse of Department of the Treasury names, symbols, etc. to implement the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. In particular, this rule adjusts for inflation the maximum amount of the civil monetary penalties that may be assessed under its regulations, and updates the inflation adjustments through 2018 in accordance with instructions from the Office of Management and Budget. In SUMMARY: On this matter, Chairman Giancarlo, and Commissioners Quintenz, Behnam, Stump, and Berkovitz voted in the affirmative. No Commissioner voted in the negative. BILLING CODE 6351–01–P 31 CFR Part 27 AGENCY: Appendix to Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties for Inflation— Commission Voting Summary [FR Doc. 2019–01852 Filed 2–8–19; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 addition, the regulation is amended to reflect changes in Treasury organizational structure. DATES: This rule is effective April 12, 2019. Written comments are due on or before March 13, 2019. If the Department receives significant adverse comments, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that this rule will not take effect. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. • Mail: Richard Dodson, AttorneyAdvisor, General Law, Ethics, and Regulation, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220. Comments received by mail will be considered timely if they are postmarked on or before the comment date. The www.regulations.gov site will accept comments until 11:59 p.m. E:\FR\FM\11FER1.SGM 11FER1

Agencies

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3103-3105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-01852]

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COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 143

RIN 3038-AE69

Annual Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties To Reflect
Inflation--2019

AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) is
amending its rules governing the maximum amount of civil monetary
penalties to adjust for inflation. This rule sets forth the maximum,
inflation-adjusted dollar amount for civil monetary penalties (CMPs)
assessable for violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and
Commission rules, regulations and orders thereunder. The rule, as
amended, implements the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment
Act of 1990, as amended.

DATES: This rule is effective on February 11, 2019 and is applicable to
penalties assessed after January 15, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward J. Riccobene, Associate Chief
Counsel, Division of Enforcement, at (202) 418-5327 or
ericcobene@cftc.gov, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 1155 21st
Street NW, Washington, DC 20581.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990
(FCPIAA) \1\ requires the head of each Federal agency to periodically
adjust for inflation the minimum and maximum amount of CMPs provided by
law within the jurisdiction of that agency.\2\ A 2015 amendment to the
FCPIAA \3\ required agencies to make an initial ``catch-up'' adjustment
to its civil monetary penalties effective no later than August 1,
2016.\4\ For every year thereafter effective not later than January 15,
the FCPIAA, as amended, requires agencies to make annual adjustments
for inflation, with guidance from the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ The FCPIAA, Public Law 101-410 (1990), as amended, is
codified at 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. The FCPIAA states that the purpose
of the FCPIAA is to establish a mechanism that (1) allows for
regular adjustment for inflation of civil monetary penalties; (2)
maintains the deterrent effect of civil monetary penalties and
promote compliance with the law; and (3) improves the collection by
the Federal Government of civil monetary penalties.
\2\ For the relevant CMPs within the Commission's jurisdiction,
the Act provides only for maximum amounts that can be assessed for
each violation of the Act or the rules, regulations and orders
promulgated thereunder; the Act does not set forth any minimum
penalties. Therefore, the remainder of this release will refer only
to CMP maximums.
\3\ Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
Improvements Act of 2015, Public Law 114-74, 129 Stat. 584 (2015)
(2015 Act), title VII, Section 701.
\4\ FCPIAA Sections 4 and 5. See also, Adjustment of Civil
Monetary Penalties for Inflation, 81 FR 41435 (June 27, 2016).
\5\ FCPIAA Sections 4 and 5. See also, Executive Office of the
President, Office of Management and Budget Memorandum, M-19-04,
Implementation of Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2019, Pursuant
to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements
Act of 2015 (Dec. 14, 2018) (2018 OMB Guidance) (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/m_19_04.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Commodity Exchange Act Civil Monetary Penalties

The following sections of the CEA provide for CMPs that meet the
FCPIAA definition \6\ and these CMPs are, therefore, subject to the
inflation adjustment: Sections 6(c), 6b, and 6c of the CEA.\7\
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\6\ FCPIAA Section 3(2).
\7\ 7 U.S.C. 9, 13a-1, 13b. Criminal authorities may also seek
fines for criminal violations of the CEA (see 7 U.S.C. 13, 13(c),
13(d), 13(e), and 13b). The FCPIA does not affect the amounts of
these criminal penalties.
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III. Annual Inflation Adjustment for Commodity Exchange Act Civil
Monetary Penalties

A. Methodology

The FCPIAA annual inflation adjustment, in the context of the
CFTC's CMPs, is determined by increasing the maximum penalty by a
``cost-of-living adjustment'', rounded to the nearest multiple of one
dollar.\8\ Annual inflation adjustments are based on the percent change
between the October Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-
U) preceding the date of the adjustment, and the prior year's October
CPI-U.\9\ In this case, the October 2018 CPI-U (252.885)/October 2017
CPI-U (246.663) = 1.02522.\10\ In order to complete the 2019 annual
adjustment, the CFTC must multiply each of its most recent CMP amounts
by the multiplier, 1.02522, and round to the nearest dollar.\11\
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\8\ FCPIAA Sections 4 and 5.
\9\ FCPIAA Section 5(b)(1).
\10\ The CPI-U is published by the Department of Labor.
Interested parties may find the relevant Consumer Price Index on the
internet. To access this information, go to the Consumer Price Index
Home Page at: http://www.bls.gov/cpi/. Click the ``CPI Data/
Databases'' heading, and select ``All Urban Consumers (Current
Series)'', ``Top Picks.'' Then check the box for ``U.S. All items,
1982-84 = 100--CUUR0000SA0'', and click the ``Retrieve data''
button.
\11\ 2018 OMB Guidance at 3.
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B. Civil Monetary Penalty Adjustments

Applying the FCPIAA annual inflation adjustment methodology results
in the following amended CMPs:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Violations occurring on or after 11/02/2015
-----------------------------------------------
U.S. code citation Civil monetary penalty Penalty amount
description in 2018 final CPI-U New adjusted
rule \12\ multiplier penalty amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by the Commission in an Administrative Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 U.S.C. 9 (Section 6(c) of For any person Non- $161,115 1.02552 $165,227
the Commodity Exchange Act). other than a Manipulation
registered or Attempted
entity \1\. Manipulation.
For any person Manipulation or $1,162,183 1.02552 $1,191,842
other than a Attempted
registered Manipulation.
entity \1\.
7 U.S.C. 13a (Section 6b of For a registered Non- $887,509 1.02552 $910,158
the Commodity Exchange Act). entity \1\ or Manipulation
any of its or Attempted
directors, Manipulation.
officers or
employees.

[[Page 3104]]

For a registered Manipulation or $1,162,183 1.02552 $1,191,842
entity \1\ or Attempted
any of its Manipulation.
directors,
officers or
employees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by a Federal District Court in a Civil Injunctive Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 U.S.C. 13a-1 (Section 6c of Any Person...... Non- $177,501 1.02552 $182,031
the Commodity Exchange Act). Manipulation
or Attempted
Manipulation.
Any Person...... Manipulation or $1,162,183 1.02552 $1,191,842
Attempted
Manipulation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The term ``Registered Entity'' is defined in 7 U.S.C. 1a (Section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act).

The FCPIAA provides that any increase under the FCPIAA in a civil
monetary penalty shall apply only to civil monetary penalties,
including those whose associated violation predated such increase,
which are assessed after the date the increase takes effect.'' \13\
Thus, the new CMP amounts established by this rulemaking shall apply to
penalties assessed after January 15, 2019, for violations that occurred
on or after November 2, 2015, the effective date of the FCPIAA
amendment requiring annual adjustments, the 2015 Act.
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\12\ 83 FR 9426.
\13\ FCPIAA Section 6.
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IV. Administrative Compliance

A. Notice Requirement

The FCPIAA specifically exempted from the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA) the rulemakings required to implement annual inflation
adjustments.\14\ ``This means that the public procedure the APA
generally requires (i.e.,--notice, an opportunity for comment, and a
delay in effective date) is not required for agencies to issue
regulations implementing the annual adjustment.'' \15\ The Commission
further notes that the notice and comment procedures of the APA do not
apply to this rulemaking because the Commission is acting herein
pursuant to statutory language that mandates that the Commission act in
a nondiscretionary matter.\16\
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\14\ FCPIAA Section 4(b)(2).
\15\ 2018 OMB Guidance at 4.
\16\ Lake Carriers' Ass'n v. E.P.A., 652 F.3d 1, 10 (D.C. Cir.
2011).
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B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Regulatory Flexibility Act \17\ requires agencies with
rulemaking authority to consider the impact of certain of their rules
on small businesses. A regulatory flexibility analysis is only required
for rules for which the agency publishes a general notice of proposed
rulemaking pursuant to section 553(b) or any other law.\18\ Because, as
discussed above, the Commission is not obligated by section 553(b) or
any other law to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking with
respect to the revisions being made to Sec. 143.8, the Commission
additionally is not obligated to conduct a regulatory flexibility
analysis.
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\17\ 5 U.S.C. 601-612.
\18\ 5 U.S.C. 603(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),\19\ which imposes
certain requirements on Federal agencies, including the Commission, in
connection with their conducting or sponsoring any collection of
information as defined by the PRA, does not apply to this rule. This
rule amendment does not contain information collection requirements
that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\19\ 44 U.S.C. 3507(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

D. Consideration of Costs and Benefits

Section 15(a) of the CEA \20\ requires the Commission to consider
the costs and benefits of its action before issuing a new regulation.
Section 15(a) further specifies that 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\20\ 7 U.S.C. 19(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Commission believes that benefits of this rulemaking greatly
outweigh the costs, if any. As the Commission understands, the
statutory provisions by which it is making cost-of-living adjustments
to the CMPs in Sec. 143.8 were enacted to ensure that CMPs do not lose
their deterrence value because of inflation. An analysis of the costs
and benefits of these adjustments were made before enactment of the
statutory provisions under which the Commission is operating, and limit
the discretion of the Commission to the extent that there are no
regulatory choices the Commission could make that would supersede the
pre-enactment analysis with respect to the five factors enumerated in
section 15(a), or any other factors.

List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 143

Civil monetary penalties, Claims.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission amends part 143 of title 17 of the Code of Federal
Regulations as follows:

PART 143--COLLECTION OF CLAIMS OWED THE UNITED STATES ARISING FROM
ACTIVITIES UNDER THE COMMISSION'S JURISDICTION

0
1. The authority citation for part 143 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 9, 15, 9a, 12a(5), 13a, 13a-1(d), 13(a),
13b; 31 U.S.C. 3701-3720E; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

0
2. Revise Sec. 143.8(b) to read as follows:

Sec. 143.8 Inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties.

* * * * *
(b) 2019 Inflation adjustment. The maximum amount of each civil
monetary penalty in the following charts applies to penalties assessed
after January 15, 2019:
(1) For non-manipulation or attempted manipulation violations:

[[Page 3105]]

Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of violation and corresponding penalty
Civil monetary ---------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. code citation penalty 10/23/2004 10/23/2008 10/23/2012
description through 10/22/ through 10/22/ through 11/01/ 11/02/2015 to
2008 2012 2015 present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by the Commission in an Administrative Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 U.S.C. 9 (Section 6(c) of For any person $130,000 $130,000 $140,000 $165,227
the Commodity Exchange Act). other than a
registered
entity \1\.
7 U.S.C. 13a (Section 6b of For a registered $625,000 $675,000 $700,000 $910,158
the Commodity Exchange Act). entity \1\ or
any of its
directors,
officers or
employees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by a Federal District Court in a Civil Injunctive Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 U.S.C. 13a-1 (Section 6c of Any Person...... $130,000 $140,000 $140,000 $182,031
the Commodity Exchange Act).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The term ``Registered Entity'' is defined in 7 U.S.C. 1a (Section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act).

(2) For manipulation or attempted manipulation violations:

Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of violation and corresponding penalty
Civil monetary ---------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. code citation penalty 10/23/2004 05/22/2008 08/15/2011
description through 05/21/ through 08/14/ through 11/01/ 11/02/2015 to
2008 2011 2015 present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by the Commission in an Administrative Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 U.S.C. 9 (Section 6(c) of For any person $130,000 $1,000,000 $1,025,000 $1,191,842
the Commodity Exchange Act). other than a
registered
entity \1\.
7 U.S.C. 13a (Section 6b of For a registered $625,000 $1,000,000 $1,025,000 $1,191,842
the Commodity Exchange Act). entity \1\ or
any of its
directors,
officers or
employees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Civil Monetary Penalty Imposed by a Federal District Court in a Civil Injunctive Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 U.S.C. 13a-1 (Section 6c of Any Person...... $130,000 $1,000,000 $1,025,000 $1,191,842
the Commodity Exchange Act).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The term ``Registered Entity'' is defined in 7 U.S.C. 1a (Section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act).

Issued in Washington, DC, on February 6, 2019, by the
Commission.
Robert Sidman,
Deputy Secretary of the Commission.

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

Appendix to Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties for Inflation--
Commission Voting Summary

On this matter, Chairman Giancarlo, and Commissioners Quintenz,
Behnam, Stump, and Berkovitz voted in the affirmative. No
Commissioner voted in the negative.

[FR Doc. 2019-01852 Filed 2-8-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6351-01-P