Bill Summary
The "CFTC International Operational Improvements Act of 2026" aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) by facilitating the exchange of personnel and resources with both domestic federal agencies and foreign regulatory entities.
Key components of the legislation include:
1. **Definition Expansion**: It broadens the definition of "foreign futures authority" to include a variety of foreign governmental and regulatory bodies involved in the administration of futures, options, swaps, and commodities.
2. **Resource Sharing**: The Act allows the CFTC to accept assistance—including personnel, funds, and facilities—from other U.S. federal agencies, with flexibility in how such personnel can be detailed (either reimbursable or non-reimbursable).
3. **International Cooperation**: It permits the CFTC to detail officers or employees from foreign regulatory authorities temporarily as part of its workforce, facilitating international collaboration without requiring reciprocal arrangements. It also allows for the reimbursement of services as agreed in written agreements.
4. **Conduct Standards**: All personnel detailed from foreign entities will be subject to U.S. laws regarding ethics and conflicts of interest, ensuring that they adhere to the same conduct standards as CFTC employees.
Overall, the legislation aims to foster greater cooperation and resource-sharing between the CFTC and its counterparts both domestically and internationally, enhancing the Commission's ability to perform its regulatory functions effectively.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "CFTC International Operational Improvements Act of 2026" could affect people:
1. **Enhanced Regulatory Collaboration**: The act allows the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to share resources and personnel with other federal agencies and foreign regulatory bodies. This could lead to more effective regulation of futures, options, swaps, and commodities markets. As a result, traders and investors may benefit from a more transparent and stable market environment, potentially reducing the risk of fraud or market manipulation.
2. **Job Opportunities in Regulatory Agencies**: The provision for detailing employees from other federal agencies and foreign authorities to the CFTC could create new job opportunities for individuals within these agencies. Employees may gain valuable experience and skills by working in a different regulatory context, which could enhance their career prospects in public service or the private sector.
3. **International Cooperation Impacting Market Participants**: By facilitating cooperation with foreign futures authorities, the act may lead to improved international regulatory standards and practices. This could influence how multinational companies operate in the commodities markets. For instance, companies trading across borders may find it easier to comply with regulations, fostering a more favorable environment for international trade and investment. However, it might also require companies to adapt to varying regulatory standards, which could impose additional compliance costs.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8180 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8180
To allow the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and certain
authorities to exchange detailees on a temporary basis, and to allow
resource-sharing from other Federal agencies.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 2, 2026
Mr. Mann (for himself and Mr. Figures) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To allow the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and certain
authorities to exchange detailees on a temporary basis, and to allow
resource-sharing from other Federal agencies.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``CFTC International Operational
Improvements Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. FOREIGN FUTURES AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Section 1a(26) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7
U.S.C. 1a(26)) is amended to read as follows:
``(26) Foreign futures authority.--The term `foreign
futures authority' means any foreign government, or any law
enforcement authority, department, central bank, ministry,
agency, governmental body, or regulatory organization empowered
by a foreign government to administer, enforce, or prosecute a
law, rule, or regulation relating to matters involving futures,
options, swaps, or commodities, or any such authority,
department, or agency of a political subdivision of a foreign
government empowered to administer, enforce, or prosecute a
law, rule, or regulation as it relates to such matters.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 12(f) of such Act (7 U.S.C.
16(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``futures or options'' and
inserting ``futures, options, swaps, or commodities'';
and
(B) by striking ``administers or enforces'' and
inserting ``administers, enforces, or prosecutes''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``in futures and
options'' and inserting ``in futures, options, swaps, or
commodities''.
SEC. 3. DETAILING AND RESOURCE-SHARING.
Section 2(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(16) Assistance from federal agencies.--
``(A) In general.--The Commission may accept any
assistance, including services, funds, facilities, and
other support services as determined by the Commission,
to effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Act,
from any department or agency of the United States that
is authorized under other law to provide the
assistance.
``(B) Detail flexibility.--When an employee from
another department or agency is detailed to the
Commission, the employee may be detailed on either a
reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis, and such detail
shall be without interruption or loss of civil service
status or privilege.
``(17) Assistance from foreign governmental entities.--
``(A) In general.--The Commission may--
``(i) accept details of officers or
employees of a foreign futures authority or any
department or agency of a foreign government,
including a central bank or ministry, on a
temporary basis as employees of the Commission
pursuant to section 12(b) of this Act, or
section 3101 or 3109 of title 5, United States
Code; and
``(ii) detail officers or employees of the
Commission to work on a temporary basis for an
entity described in clause (i).
``(B) Reciprocity and reimbursement.--
``(i) Reciprocity not required.--Assistance
described in subparagraph (A) need not be
provided on a reciprocal basis.
``(ii) Reimbursement.--
``(I) In general.--The Commission
may provide and accept assistance
described in subparagraph (A) on a
reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis,
only in accordance with a written
agreement between the Commission and
the respective foreign governmental
entity.
``(II) Form.--A reimbursement to or
from the Commission may be made in cash
or in kind. The Commission shall credit
a reimbursement received from a foreign
governmental entity to the appropriate
Commission appropriation, fund, or
account.
``(C) Standards of conduct.--An officer or employee
detailed under subparagraph (A)(i) shall be subject to
the provisions of law relating to ethics, conflicts of
interest, or corruption, and to any other statute
governing the standards of conduct for Commission
employees that are applicable to the type of
appointment.
``(D) Limitation.--An officer or employee detailed
under subparagraph (A)(i) may not hold any management
position at the Commission.''.
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