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2013-04252

  • Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2013)[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2013)]

    [Rules and Regulations]

    [Pages 12933-12937]

    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]

    [FR Doc No: 2013-04252]

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    Rules and Regulations

    Federal Register

    ________________________________________________________________________

    This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents

    having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed

    to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published

    under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

    The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.

    Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each

    week.

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    Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 26, 2013 /

    Rules and Regulations

    [[Page 12933]]

    COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

    17 CFR Parts 10, 12 and 171

    Proceedings Before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

    ACTION: Final rule.

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

    SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'') is

    amending its Rules of Practice, Rules Relating to Reparation

    Proceedings, and its Rules Relating to Review of National Futures

    Association (``NFA'') Decisions in Disciplinary, Membership Denial,

    Registration and Membership Responsibility Actions, to simplify and

    clarify service, filing and formatting requirements, particularly those

    requirements applicable to electronic service and filing. The

    Commission is also amending its Rules Relating to Reparations

    Proceedings to clarify the authority of its Judgment Officers.

    DATES: Effective February 26, 2013.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Gizzarelli, Director, Office of

    Proceedings, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette

    Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581. Telephone: (202)

    418-5395.

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2008, the Commission amended its rules to

    allow for service via electronic mail (``email'') for 17 CFR parts 10

    and 12, and via facsimile (``fax'') for Part 12 (service by fax under

    Part 10 had been permitted by the Commission since 1998.) At that time,

    the Commission approved these additional means of service to take

    advantage of technological developments that would be faster and less

    costly than regular mail. Today, the Commission has amended 17 CFR

    Parts 10, 12 and 171 to simplify and refine the rules for service,

    filing and formatting. Additionally, the Commission has amended 17 CFR

    Parts 10 and 12 to clarify the role and authority of its Judgment

    Officers. The Commission believes these rule amendments will increase

    efficiencies and lower costs for parties and for the Commission in

    administrative enforcement proceedings, in reparations proceedings, and

    in the appellate review of NFA decisions. Also, the Commission has

    designed the amendments to the reparations rules to make the

    reparations forum less legalistic and more user-friendly for pro se

    parties.

    Confirmation of Service

    To ease the burden on parties in reparations cases, many of whom

    appear pro se, the amended rules drop the requirement of a formal

    affidavit of service and now require parties to submit a signed

    ``statement of service'' that: (1) Confirms that service has been made;

    (2) identifies each person served; (3) sets forth the date of service;

    and (4) recites the manner of service. The less formal and less

    burdensome statement of service effectively serves the same purpose as

    an affidavit of service: promoting and assuring the full exchange of

    information among the parties by requiring service of submissions on

    all of the parties in the proceeding. A corresponding change has been

    made to the 17 CFR Part 10 rules regarding confirmation of service.

    Electronic Service

    The amendments to the service rules in 17 CFR parts 10 and 12

    reflect the Commission's experience with electronic filing since 2008,

    which generally has been positive. First, the amendments specifically

    provide that a party who consents to service by email must specify the

    email address to be used. Consent is required because it is not yet

    possible to assume universal access to electronic communication.

    Second, under these amendments, actual notice that an email or fax

    transmission was not received will defeat the presumption of receipt

    that service is complete on transmission and will compel the sender to

    take additional steps to affect service. Finally, consistent with 17

    CFR 12.1(a), which provides that the reparations rules ``shall be

    construed liberally so as to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive

    determination of the issues,'' the Commission expects that as

    electronic technology continues to advance, its Proceedings Clerk and

    its presiding officials will provide guidance to parties on standards

    governing such technical specifications as data formatting, speed of

    transmission, means to transmit attachments, and security of

    communication.

    Filing and Formatting

    The amended rules simplify and harmonize the filing and formatting

    requirements contained in 17 CFR parts 10 and 12. First, the amended

    rules provide that parties filing by personal delivery, mail or

    commercial delivery service are no longer required to file any copies

    of an original. Second, the amended rules explicitly provide that

    parties filing electronically should not also send paper copies of the

    same documents to the Proceedings Clerk. Third, the amended rules

    reduce the maximum length of briefs in administrative proceedings from

    60 to 50 pages and in reparations proceedings from 35 to 25 pages.

    Fourth, the amended rules simplify the formatting of filed documents,

    such as font size, spacing and related issues. Fifth, the amendments

    clarify that documents that are delivered in person, or delivered by

    first-class mail, by a more expeditious form of United States mail, or

    by overnight or similar commercial delivery service will be considered

    timely filed if they are delivered in person or mailed to the

    Proceedings Clerk within the time prescribed for filing. Finally, the

    Commission is also amending 17 CFR 171.8 to allow filing and service by

    fax and email.

    Judgment Officer

    On October 12, 2011, to promote the efficient use of the

    Commission's budget and personnel resources, the Commission amended 17

    CFR part 12 to authorize its Judgment Officers to conduct formal

    decisional proceedings. The new 17 CFR part 12 amendments issued today

    conform the definition of ``Judgment Officer'' to the authority of

    Judgment Officers to conduct formal decisional proceedings. These new

    amendments also provide that Judgment Officers may conduct sua sponte

    discovery in voluntary decisional proceedings, as they can in summary

    and formal decisional proceedings. This

    [[Page 12934]]

    amendment will help ensure that the evidentiary record is adequately

    developed in voluntary decisional proceedings.

    The amendment to 17 CFR 10.8, which authorizes the Commission to

    appoint a Presiding Officer other than an administrative law judge

    (``ALJ'') to conduct proceedings within the scope of 17 CFR part 10,

    unless some other provision of law requires the use of an ALJ in a

    particular category of proceeding,\1\ clarifies that Presiding Officers

    who are not ALJs can carry out the same functions as ALJs in certain

    proceedings to deny, condition, suspend, revoke or place restrictions

    on registration. Registration-related proceedings are subject to

    procedural rules set forth in the Commission's rules at 17 CFR part 3,

    as well as the 17 CFR part 10 Rules of Practice.\2\ This amendment will

    make clear the Commission's intent that references to ALJs in both 17

    CFR part 10 and part 3 shall apply to non-ALJ Presiding Officers when

    the Commission appoints such Presiding Officers in registration-related

    proceedings.

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

    \1\ 17 CFR 10.2(n) defines a ``Presiding Officer'' as ``a member

    of the Commission, an Administrative Law Judge, or a hearing officer

    designated by the Commission to conduct a hearing on a specific

    matter, or the Commission itself * * *.'' In some types of

    proceedings, statutory provisions constrain the choice of Presiding

    Officer. For example, section 6(c)(4)(C)(iii) of the Commodity

    Exchange Act (``CEA''), 7 U.S.C. 9(4)(C)(iii), requires that

    proceedings pursuant to section 6(c)(4), 7 U.S.C. 9(4), must be

    heard by either the Commission or an ALJ. By contrast, other

    provisions of the CEA leave the choice of Presiding Officer to the

    discretion of the Commission. For example, CEA section 8a(2), 7

    U.S.C. 12a(2), which applies in certain circumstances where a court

    or administrative agency has previously made a determination

    regarding a registrant's conduct, authorizes the Commission to

    revoke registration ``with such a hearing as may be appropriate''

    and does not specify what type of official must preside.

    \2\ See generally 17 CFR 3.55 through 3.64 and 17 CFR 10.1(a).

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

    Prior to this amendment, the second sentence of 17 CFR 10.8 stated:

    If the Commission determines that a proceeding within the scope

    of this subpart shall be conducted before a Presiding Officer who is

    not an Administrative Law Judge, all provisions of this part that

    refer to and grant authority to or impose obligations upon an

    Administrative Law Judge shall be read as referring to and granting

    authority to and imposing obligations upon the designated Presiding

    Officer.

    This amendment adds the phrase ``or of Part 3 of this title''

    following the words ``this part'' in this sentence.

    Related Matters

    A. No Notice Is Required Under 5 U.S.C. 553

    The Commission has determined that these amendments are exempt from

    the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553, which

    generally require notice of proposed rulemaking and provide other

    opportunities for public participation. According to the exemptive

    language of 5 U.S.C. 553, these amendments pertain to ``rules of agency

    organization, procedure, or practice,'' as to which there exists agency

    discretion not to provide notice. In addition, notice and public

    procedure are unnecessary in this case because the proposed amendments

    are self-explanatory. If made effective immediately, they will promote

    efficiency and facilitate the Commission's core mission without

    imposing a new burden. For the above reasons, the notice requirements

    under 5 U.S.C. 553 are inapplicable.

    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (``RFA''), 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.,

    requires agencies with rulemaking authority to consider the impact

    those rules will have on small businesses. With respect to persons

    seeking Commission review of final exchange and NFA decisions, and

    initial decisions in reparation and administrative enforcement matters,

    the amendments impose no additional burden and in fact ease existing

    burdens by providing more options, greater certainty and increased

    predictability concerning filing and service. Accordingly, the

    Chairman, on behalf of the Commission, hereby certifies, pursuant to 5

    U.S.C. 605(b), that the amendments will not have a significant economic

    impact on a substantial number of small businesses.

    C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The amendments to 17 CFR parts 10, 12 and 171 do not impose a

    burden within the meaning and intent of the Paperwork Reduction Act of

    1980, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

    D. Cost-Benefit Analysis

    Section 15(a) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 19(a), requires the Commission

    to consider the costs and benefits of its action before issuing a new

    regulation. CEA 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 amendments to 17 CFR parts 10, 12 and 171 will not create any

    significant change in the Commission's adjudicatory process. In fact,

    the amendments will enhance the protection of market participants and

    the public by making filing and service more certain, faster and

    cheaper. The amendments do not bear directly upon the risk-benefit

    factors, but reduce costs and increase the efficiency of litigation

    that arises pursuant to the operation of futures markets.

    List of Subjects

    17 CFR Part 10

    Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations

    (Government agencies), Commodity futures.

    17 CFR Part 12

    Administrative practice and procedure, Commodity futures, Consumer

    protection.

    17 CFR Part 171

    Administrative practice and procedure, Commodity futures.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Commodity Futures

    Trading Commission amends 17 CFR parts 10, 12 and 171 as follows:

    PART 10--RULES OF PRACTICE

    0

    1. The authority citation for part 10 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Pub. L. 93-463, sec. 101(a)(11), 88 Stat. 1391; 7

    U.S.C. 2(a)(12).

    Section 10.102 also issued under 7 U.S.C. 4a, 12a; 5 U.S.C. 10.

    0

    2. Revise Sec. 10.4 to read as follows:

    Sec. 10.4 Business address; hours.

    The Office of Proceedings is located at Three Lafayette Centre,

    1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581. Faxes must be sent to (202)

    418-5532, and emails must be sent to PROC_filings@cftc.gov. The office

    is open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through

    Friday, except on federal holidays.

    0

    3. Amend Sec. 10.8 by revising the introductory text to read as

    follows:

    Sec. 10.8 Presiding officers.

    Unless otherwise determined by the Commission, all proceedings

    within the scope of this Part shall be assigned to an Administrative

    Law Judge for hearing. If the Commission determines that a proceeding

    within the scope of this Part shall be conducted before a Presiding

    Officer who is not an Administrative Law Judge, all provisions of this

    part or

    [[Page 12935]]

    of part 3 of this chapter that refer to and grant authority to or

    impose obligations upon an Administrative Law Judge shall be read as

    referring to and granting authority to and imposing obligations upon

    the designated Presiding Officer.

    * * * * *

    0

    4. Amend Sec. 10.12 by:

    0

    a. Revising paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2)(ii) through (iv), and (a)(3);

    0

    b. Adding paragraphs (a)(4) through (6);

    0

    c. Revising paragraphs (b) through (f); and

    0

    d. Removing paragraph (g).

    The revisions and additions read as follows:

    Sec. 10.12 Service and filing of documents; form and execution.

    (a) Service by a party or other participant in a proceeding. (1)

    When one party serves another with documents under these rules, a copy

    must be served on all other parties as well as filed with the

    Proceedings Clerk. Similarly, when a person files a document with the

    Office of Proceedings, the person must serve a copy of the document on

    all other parties.

    (2) * * *

    (ii) First-class or a more expeditious form of United States mail

    or an overnight or similar commercial delivery service;

    (iii) Facsimile (``fax''); or

    (iv) Electronic mail (``email'').

    (3) Service by email or fax shall be permitted at the discretion of

    the Presiding Officer, with the parties' consent. The consent of a

    party must specify the email address or fax number to be used. Signed

    documents that are served by email must be in PDF or other non-

    alterable form.

    (4) Service will be complete at the time of personal service; upon

    deposit in the mail or with an overnight or similar commercial delivery

    service of a properly addressed document for which all postage or

    delivery service fees have been paid; or upon transmission by fax or

    email. Service by email or by fax will not be effective if the party

    making service learns that the attempted service did not reach the

    person to be served.

    (5) Where service is effected by mail or a commercial delivery

    service (but not by fax or email), the time within which the person

    being served may respond shall be extended by five (5) days.

    (6) Statement of service. A statement of service shall be made by

    filing with the Proceedings Clerk, simultaneously with the filing of

    the document, a statement signed by the party making service or by his

    attorney or representative that:

    (i) Confirms that service has been made,

    (ii) Identifies each person served,

    (iii) Sets forth the date of service, and

    (iv) Recites the manner of service.

    (b) Service of decisions and orders. A copy of all rulings,

    opinions and orders shall be served by the Proceedings Clerk on each of

    the parties.

    (c) Designation of person to receive service. The first page of the

    first document filed in a proceeding by a party or participant must

    include the name and contact information of a person authorized to

    receive service on the party or participant's behalf. Contact

    information must include a post office address and daytime telephone

    number, and should also include the person's fax or email. Thereafter

    service of documents shall be made upon the person authorized unless

    service on the party himself is ordered by the Administrative Law Judge

    or the Commission, or unless no person authorized to receive service

    can be found, or unless the person authorized to receive service is

    changed by the party upon due notice to all other parties.

    (d) Filing of documents with the Proceedings Clerk. (1) All

    documents which are required to be served upon a party shall be filed

    concurrently with the Proceedings Clerk. A document shall be filed by

    delivering it in person or by first-class mail or a more expeditious

    form of United States mail or by overnight or similar commercial

    delivery service to Proceedings Clerk, Office of Proceedings, Three

    Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581; or faxing

    the document to (202) 418-5532; or emailing it to PROC_

    Filings@cftc.gov in accordance with the conditions set forth in

    paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

    (2) To be timely filed under this part, a document must be

    delivered in person; mailed by first-class or a more expeditious form

    of United States mail or by an overnight or similar commercial delivery

    service; or faxed or emailed to the Proceedings Clerk within the time

    prescribed for filing.

    (e) Formalities of filing. (1) An original of all documents shall

    be filed with the Proceedings Clerk. If a party files a document with

    the Proceedings Clerk by fax or email, they should not also send paper

    copies.

    (2) First page. The first page of all documents filed with the

    Proceedings Clerk must include the Commission's name, the docket

    number, the title of proceeding, the subject of the document, and the

    name of the person on whose behalf the document is being filed. In

    subsequent filings, the case title may be abbreviated by listing the

    name of the first respondent, followed by ``et al.'' In the complaint,

    the title of the action shall include the names of all the respondents,

    but in documents subsequently filed it is sufficient to state the name

    of the first respondent named in the complaint with an appropriate

    indication of other parties.

    (3) Format. Documents must be legible and printed on normal white

    paper of eight and one half by eleven inches. The typeface, margins,

    and spacing of all documents presented for filing must meet the

    following requirements: all text must be 12-point type or larger,

    except for text in footnotes which may be 10-point type; all documents

    must have at least one-inch margins on all sides; all text must be

    double-spaced, except for headings, text in footnotes, or block

    quotations, which may be single-spaced. Emailed documents must be in

    PDF or other non-alterable form.

    (4) Signatures. (i) The original of all documents must be signed by

    the person filing the same or by his duly authorized agent or attorney.

    (ii) Effect. The signature on any document of any person acting

    either for himself or as attorney or agent for another constitutes

    certification by him that:

    (A) He has read the document and knows the contents thereof;

    (B) If executed in any representative capacity, it was done with

    full power and authority to do so;

    (C) To the best of his knowledge, information, and belief, every

    statement contained in the document is true and not misleading; and

    (D) The document is not being interposed for delay.

    (5) Length and form of briefs. All briefs of more than fifteen

    pages shall include an index and a table of cases and other authorities

    cited. No brief shall exceed 50 pages in length without prior

    permission of the Presiding Officer or the Commission.

    (f) Official docket. The Proceedings Clerk will maintain the

    official docket for each proceeding. The official docket is available

    for public inspection in the Commission's Office of Proceedings.

    0

    5. Amend Sec. 10.102 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:

    Sec. 10.102 Review of initial decisions.

    * * * * *

    (c) Briefs. An original of all briefs submitted under this section

    shall be filed with the Proceedings Clerk.

    * * * * *

    [[Page 12936]]

    PART 12--RULES RELATING TO REPARATIONS

    0

    6. The authority citation for Part 12 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2(a)(12), 12a(5), and 18.

    0

    7. Amend Sec. 12.2 by revising the definition of ``Judgment Officer''

    to read as follows:

    Sec. 12.2 Definitions.

    * * * * *

    Judgment Officer means an employee of the Commission who is

    authorized to conduct all reparations proceedings. In appropriate

    circumstances, the functions of a Judgment Officer may be performed by

    an Administrative Law Judge;

    * * * * *

    0

    8. Revise Sec. 12.3 to read as follows:

    Sec. 12.3 Business address; hours.

    The Office of Proceedings is located at Three Lafayette Centre,

    1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581. Faxes must be sent to (202)

    418-5532, and emails must be sent to PROC_filings@cftc.gov. The office

    is open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through

    Friday except on federal holidays.

    0

    9. Revise Sec. 12.10 to read as follows:

    Sec. 12.10 Service.

    (a) General requirements. (1) When service is required; number of

    copies. When one party serves another with documents under these rules,

    a copy must be served on all other parties as well as filed with the

    Proceedings Clerk. Similarly, when a person files a document with the

    Office of Proceedings, the person must serve a copy of the document on

    all other parties. This rule does not apply to a complaint filed

    pursuant to Sec. 12.13 of these rules, which shall only be filed with

    the Commission.

    (2) How service is made. Service shall be made by:

    (i) Personal service;

    (ii) First-class or a more expeditious form of United States mail

    or an overnight or similar commercial delivery service;

    (iii) Facsimile (``fax''); or

    (iv) Electronic mail (``email'').

    (3) Service by fax or email shall be permitted at the discretion of

    the Presiding Officer, with the parties' consent. The consent of a

    party must specify the email address or fax number to be used. Signed

    documents that are served by email attachment must be in PDF or other

    non-alterable form.

    (4) Service will be complete at the time of personal service; upon

    deposit in the mail or with an overnight or similar commercial delivery

    service of a properly addressed document for which all postage or

    delivery service fees have been paid; or upon transmission by fax or

    email. Service by email or by fax will not be effective if the party

    making service learns that the attempted service did not reach the

    person to be served.

    (5) Where service is effected by mail or commercial delivery

    service (but not by fax or email), the time within which the person

    served may respond thereto shall be extended by five (5) days.

    (6) Statement of Service. A statement of service shall be made by

    filing with the Proceedings Clerk, simultaneously with the filing of

    the document, a statement signed by the party making service or by his

    attorney or representative that:

    (i) Confirms that service has been made;

    (ii) Identifies each person served;

    (iii) Sets forth the date of service; and

    (iv) Recites the manner of service.

    (b) Service of orders and decisions. A copy of all notices,

    rulings, opinions, and orders of the Proceedings Clerk, the Director of

    the Office of Proceedings, a Judgment Officer, an Administrative Law

    Judge, the General Counsel or any employee under the General Counsel's

    supervision as the General Counsel may designate, or the Commission

    shall be served by the Proceedings Clerk on each of the parties. The

    Commission, in its discretion and with due consideration for the

    convenience of the parties, may serve the aforementioned documents to

    the parties by electronic means.

    (c) Designation of person to receive service. The first page of the

    first document filed in a proceeding by a party or participant shall

    include the contact information of a person authorized to receive

    service on their behalf. Thereafter, service of documents shall be made

    upon the person authorized unless service on the party himself is

    ordered by a Judgment Officer, an Administrative Law Judge or the

    Commission, or unless no person authorized to receive service can be

    found, or unless the person authorized to receive service is changed by

    the party upon due notice to all other parties.

    0

    10. Revise Sec. 12.11 to read as follows:

    Sec. 12.11 Formalities of filing of documents with the Proceedings

    Clerk.

    (a) If a party files by personal delivery or mail, an original of

    all documents shall be filed with the Proceedings Clerk. If a party

    files a document by fax or email in accordance with Sec. 12.10(a)(2),

    they should not also send paper copies.

    (b) First page. The first page of all documents filed with the

    Proceedings Clerk must include the Commission's name, the docket

    number, the title of the proceeding, the subject of the document and

    the name of the person on whose behalf the document is being filed. In

    the complaint, the title of the proceeding shall include the names of

    all the complainants and respondents, but in documents subsequently

    filed it is sufficient to state the name of the first complainant and

    first respondent named in the complaint.

    (c) Format. Documents must be legible and printed on normal white

    paper of eight and one half by eleven inches. Documents emailed in

    accordance with the requirements of Sec. 12.10(a)(2) must be in PDF or

    other non-alterable form. The typeface, margins, and spacing of all

    typed documents presented for filing should meet the following

    requirements: all text should be 12-point type or larger, except for

    text in footnotes which may be 10-point type; all documents should have

    at least one-inch margins on all sides; all text must be double-spaced,

    except for headings, text in footnotes, or block quotations, which may

    be single-spaced.

    (d) Signature. (1) The original of all papers must be signed by the

    person filing the same or by his duly authorized agent or attorney.

    (2) Effect. The signature on any document of any person acting

    either for himself or as attorney or agent for another constitutes

    certification by him that:

    (i) He has read the document and knows the contents thereof;

    (ii) If executed in any representative capacity, it was done with

    full power and authority to do so;

    (iii) To the best of his knowledge, information, and belief, every

    statement contained in the document is true and not misleading; and

    (iv) The document has been filed in good faith and has not been

    filed to cause delay.

    (e) Length and form of briefs. All briefs filed containing more

    than 15 pages shall include an index and a table of cases and other

    authorities cited. No brief shall exceed 25 pages in length without

    prior permission of the Presiding Officer.

    (f) All documents which are required to be served upon a party

    shall be filed concurrently with the Proceedings Clerk. A document

    shall be filed by delivering it in person or by first-class mail or a

    more expeditious form of United States mail or by overnight or similar

    commercial delivery service to Proceedings Clerk, Office of

    Proceedings, Three Lafayette Centre,

    [[Page 12937]]

    1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581; or faxing the document to

    (202) 418-5532; or emailing it to PROC_Filings@cftc.gov in accordance

    with the conditions set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

    (g) To be timely filed under this part, a document must be

    delivered in person; mailed by first-class or a more expeditious form

    of United States mail or by an overnight or similar commercial delivery

    service; or faxed or emailed to the Proceedings Clerk within the time

    prescribed for filing.

    0

    11. Amend Sec. 12.34 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

    Sec. 12.34 Discovery by a decisionmaking official.

    (a) Applicability. The provisions of this rule shall apply to all

    decisional proceedings commenced pursuant to Sec. 12.26. For the

    purposes of this rule, the term ``decisionmaking official'' shall mean

    a Judgment Officer or Administrative Law Judge assigned to render a

    decision in the proceeding.

    * * * * *

    0

    12. Amend Sec. 12.101 by revising paragraphs (a) through (c) to read

    as follows:

    Sec. 12.101 Functions and responsibilities of the Judgment Officer.

    * * * * *

    (a) To rule upon discovery-related motions, and to take such action

    pursuant to Sec. 12.35 as is appropriate if a party fails to comply

    with a discovery order;

    (b) To issue orders for the production of documents and tangible

    things and orders for written testimony, as provided in Sec. 12.34;

    (c) To issue subpoenas pursuant to Sec. 12.34 and Sec. 12.36;

    * * * * *

    PART 171--RULES RELATING TO REVIEW OF NATIONAL FUTURES ASSOCIATION

    DECISIONS IN DISCIPLINARY, MEMBERSHIP DENIAL, REGISTRATION AND

    MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY ACTIONS

    0

    13. The authority citation for Part 171 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 4a, 12a, and 21, unless otherwise noted.

    0

    14. Amend Sec. 171.8 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

    Sec. 171.8 Filing with the Proceedings Clerk.

    (a) How to file. Any document that is required by this part to be

    filed with the Proceedings Clerk shall be filed by delivering it in

    person or by first-class mail or a more expeditious form of United

    States mail, or by overnight or similar commercial delivery service to:

    Proceedings Clerk, Office of Proceedings, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155

    21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581; or faxing the document to (202)

    418-5532 or emailing it to PROC_Filings@cftc.gov. To be timely filed

    under this part, a document must be delivered or mailed to the

    Proceedings Clerk within the time prescribed for filing.

    * * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 20, 2013, by the

    Commission.

    Melissa D. Jurgens,

    Secretary of the Commission.

    [FR Doc. 2013-04252 Filed 2-25-13; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 6351-01-P

    Last Updated: February 26, 2013



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