Release: #5145-05
For Release: December 15, 2005

CFTC Announces February 15, 2006, Hearing
on Self-Regulation and Self-Regulatory Organizations
in the U.S. Futures Industry

Washington, DC—The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced a public hearing on self-regulation and self-regulatory organizations in the U.S. futures industry (SRO Hearing). The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at the Commission’s headquarters, 1155 21^st Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

The SRO Hearing will be a major event in the Commission’s ongoing review of the roles, responsibilities, and capabilities of self-regulatory organizations in a rapidly changing environment (SRO Study). As the SRO Study nears conclusion, the SRO Hearing will consolidate and update the Commission’s prior research; build upon the most recent industry developments; and offer interested parties an opportunity to address the Commission directly, respond to questions, and focus on differing viewpoints. Among other things, the SRO Hearing will examine the Commission’s 2004 Request for Comments on SRO Governance and 2005 Request for Comments on Self-Regulation and Self-Regulatory Organizations. An agenda will be provided as the hearing date approaches.

All individuals or organizations wishing to address the Commission at the hearing must submit a request to appear. Such requests must be received by January 13, 2006, and must include the name of the individual requesting to appear; the entity that he or she represents, if any; a concise statement of interest and qualifications; and a brief summary or abstract of his or her statement. The Commission will invite a representative number of individuals and organizations to appear at the hearing from those submitting requests to appear. Further details on testifying at the SRO Hearing will be available in a Federal Register Notice of Meeting to be published shortly.

In a related announcement, the Commission today extended the comment period on its Request for Comments on Self-Regulation and Self-Regulatory Organizations by 14 days. Comments are now due on January 23, 2006. The Extension will be published in the Federal Register shortly.

Media Contacts
Alan Sobba (202) 418-5080
R. David Gary (202) 418-5085
Office of External Affairs

Staff Contacts
Stephen Braverman
Deputy Director for Market Compliance
Division of Market Oversight
(202)-418-5487

Sebastian Pujol Schott
Attorney-Advisor
Division of Market Oversight
(202)-418-5641

Related Documents
Notice of Meeting
Extension
Request for Comments on SRO Governance
Request for Comments on Self-Regulation and Self-Regulatory Organizations