Bill > S2917

This bill, the Commodity End-User Relief Act, aims to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), enhance protections for futures customers, and provide relief for farmers, ranchers, and other end-users who manage risk in commodity markets, with the goal of keeping consumer costs low. Key provisions include strengthening customer protections by requiring futures commission merchants (FCMs) to maintain specific policies regarding customer funds and collateral, and mandating electronic reporting of financial information and account balances to regulatory bodies. The bill also introduces new notification requirements for FCMs if they fall below required capital levels or have insufficient funds in segregated accounts, and requires an annual assessment report from their chief compliance officer. Furthermore, it clarifies the CFTC's authority, extends its operations, and modifies rules related to exemptions and judicial review of CFTC regulations. Importantly, it provides specific relief for agricultural producers, grain elevator operators, and other commercial market participants, as well as for utility special entities and end-users who utilize physical contracts with volumetric optionality, and it defines "bona fide hedge" to better protect end-user risk management needs. The bill also includes numerous technical corrections and removes obsolete references within the Commodity Exchange Act.