Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73
§15b Cotton futures contracts
Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - COMMODITY EXCHANGES › § 15b
Summary
Requires cotton futures traded on approved contract markets to follow rules set by the Secretary of Agriculture and to be written, signed, and clear about quantity and who the buyer and seller are. Definitions: “cotton futures contract” — a sale of cotton for future delivery on a designated contract market (cash‑settled contracts and deliveries of cotton grown outside the U.S. are excluded); “future delivery” — not a cash sale for deferred shipment; “person” — people and business entities; “Secretary” — the Secretary of Agriculture; “standards” — the official U.S. cotton grades. The Secretary will name which spot markets count for price comparisons and may require cotton dealers to answer questions or produce records; willful refusal or false answers can bring a fine up to $500. Contracts must be one of three kinds. Basis‑grade contracts must name a basis grade (middling if none named), state price and delivery month, forbid delivery of very low or damaged grades (including cotton under seven‑eighths of an inch staple or “gin cut,” “reginned,” or certain false/mixed packings), require five business days’ written delivery notice and bale grade certificates, use government classification for settling, and set grade price differences by actual commercial differences determined from spot sales in at least five Secretary‑designated markets measured on the sixth business day before delivery. Tendered‑grade contracts follow the same rules but let parties agree on prices at tender; if they can’t agree, the buyer can insist on delivery of the named basis grade. Specific‑grade contracts must name and require delivery of the exact grade or sample and forbid setoff or ring settlements. The Secretary can make binding regulations. Violating regulations can bring fines of $100–$500 and, for individuals, possible jail of 30–90 days. Contracts and acts before the law’s effective date are not covered. Funds may be appropriated as needed.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §15b
Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)This section may be cited as the “United States Cotton Futures Act”.
(b)
(c)For purposes of this section—
(1)The term “cotton futures contract” means any contract of sale of cotton for future delivery made at, on, or in any exchange, board of trade, or similar institution or place of business which has been designated a “contract market” by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.] and the term “contract of sale” as so used shall be held to include sales, agreements of sale, and agreements to sell, except that—
(A)any cotton futures contract that, by its terms, is settled in cash is excluded from the coverage of this paragraph and section; and
(B)any cotton futures contract that permits tender of cotton grown outside of the United States is excluded from the coverage of this paragraph and section to the extent that the cotton grown outside of the United States is tendered for delivery under the cotton futures contract.
(2)The term “future delivery” shall not include any cash sale of cotton for deferred shipment or delivery.
(3)The term “person” includes an individual, trust, estate, partnership, association, company, or corporation.
(4)The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States.
(5)The term “standards” means the official cotton standards of the United States established by the Secretary pursuant to the United States Cotton Standards Act, as amended [7 U.S.C. 51 et seq.].
(d)(1)For purposes of this section, the only markets which shall be considered bona fide spot markets shall be those which the Secretary shall, from time to time, after investigation, determine and designate to be such, and of which he shall give public notice.
(2)In determining, pursuant to the provisions of this section, what markets are bona fide spot markets, the Secretary is directed to consider only markets in which spot cotton is sold in such volume and under such conditions as customarily to reflect accurately the value of middling cotton and the differences between the prices or values of middling cotton and of other grades of cotton for which standards shall have been established by the Secretary; except that if there are not sufficient places, in the markets of which are made bona fide sales of spot cotton of grades for which standards are established by the Secretary, to enable him to designate at least five spot markets in accordance with subsection (f)(3), he shall, from data as to spot sales collected by him, make rules and regulations for determining the actual commercial differences in the value of spot cotton of the grades established by him as reflected by bona fide sales of spot cotton, of the same or different grades, in the market selected and designated by him, from time to time, for that purpose, and in that event differences in value of cotton of various grades involved in contracts made pursuant to subsection (f)(1) and (2) shall be determined in compliance with such rules and regulations. It shall be the duty of any person engaged in the business of dealing in cotton, when requested by the Secretary or any agent acting under his instructions, to answer correctly to the best of his knowledge, under oath or otherwise, all questions touching his knowledge of the number of bales, the classification, the price or bona fide price offered, and other terms of purchase or sale, of any cotton involved in any transaction participated in by him, or to produce all books, letters, papers, or documents in his possession or under his control relating to such matter. A person complying with the preceding sentence shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising or resulting from such compliance.
(3)Any person engaged in the business of dealing in cotton who shall, within a reasonable time prescribed by the Secretary or any agent acting under his instructions, willfully fail or refuse to answer questions or to produce books, letters, papers, or documents, as required under paragraph (2) of this subsection, or who shall willfully give any answer that is false or misleading, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $500.
(e)Each cotton futures contract shall be a basis grade contract, or a tendered grade contract, or a specific grade contract as specified in subsections (f), (g), or (h) and shall be in writing plainly stating, or evidenced by written memorandum showing, the terms of such contract, including the quantity of the cotton involved and the names and addresses of the seller and buyer in such contract, and shall be signed by the party to be charged, or by his agent in his behalf. No cotton futures contract which does not conform to such requirements shall be enforceable by, or on behalf of, any party to such contract or his privies.
(f)(1)Each basis grade cotton futures contract shall comply with each of the following conditions:
(A)Conform to the regulations made pursuant to this section.
(B)Specify the basis grade for the cotton involved in the contract, which shall be one of the grades for which standards are established by the Secretary, except grades prohibited from being delivered on a contract made under this subsection by subparagraph (E), the price per pound at which the cotton of such basis grade is contracted to be bought or sold, the date when the purchase or sale was made, and the month or months in which the contract is to be fulfilled or settled; except that middling shall be deemed the basis grade incorporated into the contract if no other basis grade be specified either in the contract or in the memorandum evidencing the same.
(C)Provide that the cotton dealt with therein or delivered thereunder shall be of or within the grades for which standards are established by the Secretary except grades prohibited from being delivered on a contract made under this subsection by subparagraph (E) and no other grade or grades.
(D)Provide that in case cotton of grade other than the basis grade be tendered or delivered in settlement of such contract, the differences above or below the contract price which the receiver shall pay for such grades other than the basis grade shall be the actual commercial differences, determined as hereinafter provided.
(E)Provide that cotton that, because of the presence of extraneous matter of any character, or irregularities or defects, is reduced in value below that of low middling, or cotton that is below the grade of low middling, or, if tinged, cotton that is below the grade of strict middling, or, if yellow stained, cotton that is below the grade of good middling, the grades mentioned being of the official cotton standards of the United States, or cotton that is less than seven-eighths of an inch in length of staple, or cotton of perished staple, or of immature staple, or cotton that is “gin cut” or reginned, or cotton that is “repacked” or “false packed” or “mixed packed” or “water packed”, shall not be delivered on, under, or in settlement of such contract.
(F)Provide that all tenders of cotton under such contract shall be the full number of bales involved therein, except that such variations of the number of bales may be permitted as is necessary to bring the total weight of the cotton tendered within the provisions of the contract as to weight; that, on the fifth business day prior to delivery, the person making the tender shall give to the person receiving the same written notice of the date of delivery, and that, on or prior to the date so fixed for delivery, and in advance of final settlement of the contract, the person making the tender shall furnish to the person receiving the same a written notice or certificate stating the grade of each individual bale to be delivered and, by means of marks or numbers, identifying each bale with its grade.
(G)Provide that all tenders of cotton and settlements therefor under such contract shall be in accordance with the classification thereof made under the regulations of the Secretary by such officer or officers of the Government as shall be designated for the purpose, and the costs of such classification shall be fixed, assessed, collected, and paid as provided in such regulations and shall be credited to the account referred to in section 55 of this title. The Secretary may provide by regulation conditions under which cotton samples submitted or used in the performance of services authorized by this act shall become the property of the United States and may be sold and the proceeds credited to the foregoing account: Provided, That such cotton samples shall not be subject to the provisions of chapters 1 to 11 of title 40 and division C (except section 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41. The Secretary is authorized to prescribe regulations for carrying out the purposes of this subparagraph and the certificates of the officers of the Government as to the classification of any cotton for the purposes of this subparagraph shall be accepted in the courts of the United States in all suits between the parties to such contract, or their privies, as prima facie evidence of the true classification of the cotton involved.
(2)The provisions of paragraphs (1)(C), (D), (E), (F), and (G) shall be deemed fully incorporated into any such contract if there be written or printed thereon, or on the memorandums evidencing the same, at or prior to the time the same is signed, the phrase “Subject to United States Cotton Futures Act, subsection (f).”
(3)For the purpose of this subsection, the differences above or below the contract price which the receiver shall pay for cotton of grades above or below the basic 11 So in original. Probably should be “basis”. grade in the settlement of a contract of sale for the future delivery of cotton shall be determined by the actual commercial differences in value thereof upon the sixth business day prior to the day fixed, in accordance with paragraph (1)(F), for the delivery of cotton on the contract, established by the sale of spot cotton in the spot markets of not less than five places designated for the purpose from time to time by the Secretary, as such values were established by the sales of spot cotton, in such designated five or more markets. For purposes of this paragraph, such values in the such spot markets shall be based upon the standards for grades of cotton established by the Secretary. Whenever the value of one grade is to be determined from the sale or sales of spot cotton of another grade or grades, such value shall be fixed in accordance with rules and regulations which shall be prescribed for the purpose by the Secretary.
(g)(1)Each tendered grade cotton future contract shall comply with each of the following conditions:
(A)Comply with all the terms and conditions of subsection (f) not inconsistent with this subsection; and
(B)Provide that, in case cotton of grade or grades other than the basis grade specified in the contract shall be tendered in performance of the contract, the parties to such contract may agree, at the time of the tender, as to the price of the grade or grades so tendered, and that if they shall not then agree as to such price, then, and in that event, the buyer of said contract shall have the right to demand the specific fulfillment of such contract by the actual delivery of cotton of the basis grade named therein and at the price specified for such basis grade in said contract.
(2)Contracts made in compliance with this subsection shall be known as “subsection (g) Contracts”. The provisions of this subsection shall be deemed fully incorporated into any such contract if there be written or printed thereon, or on the memorandum evidencing the same, at or prior to the time the same is signed, the phrase “Subject to United States Cotton Futures Act, subsection (g)”.
(3)Nothing in this subsection shall be so construed as to authorize any contract in which, or in the settlement of or in respect to which, any device or arrangement whatever is resorted to, or any agreement is made, for the determination or adjustment of the price of the grade or grades tendered other than the basis grade specified in the contract by any “fixed difference” system, or by arbitration, or by any other method not provided for by this section.
(h)(1)Each specific grade cotton futures contract shall comply with each of the following conditions:
(A)Conform to the rules and regulations made pursuant to this section.
(B)Specify the grade, type, sample, or description of the cotton involved in the contract, the price per pound at which such cotton is contracted to be bought or sold, the date of the purchase or sale, and the time when shipment or delivery of such cotton is to be made.
(C)Provide that cotton of or within the grade or of the type, or according to the sample or description, specified in the contract shall be delivered thereunder, and that no cotton which does not conform to the type, sample, or description, or which is not of or within the grade specified in the contract shall be tendered or delivered thereunder.
(D)Provide that the delivery of cotton under the contract shall not be effected by means of “setoff” or “ring” settlement, but only by the actual transfer of the specified cotton mentioned in the contract.
(2)The provisions of paragraphs (1)(A), (C), and (D) shall be deemed fully incorporated into any such contract if there be written or printed thereon, or on the document or memorandum evidencing the same, at or prior to the time the same is entered into, the words “Subject to United States Cotton Futures Act, subsection (h)”.
(3)This subsection shall not be construed to apply to any contract of sale made in compliance with subsection (f) or (g).
(i)When construing and enforcing the provisions of this section, the act, omission, or failure of any official, agent, or other person acting for or employed by any association, partnership, or corporation within the scope of his employment or office shall, in every case, also be deemed the act, omission, or failure of such association, partnership, or corporation, as well as that of the person.
(j)The Secretary is authorized to make such regulations with the force and effect of law as he determines may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and the powers vested in him by this section.
(k)Any person who knowingly violates any regulation made in pursuance of this section, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500, for each violation thereof, in the discretion of the court, and, in case of natural persons, may, in addition be punished by imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days, for each violation, in the discretion of the court except that this subsection shall not apply to violations subject to subsection (d)(3).
(l)The provisions of this section shall not apply to any cotton futures contract entered into prior to the effective date of this section or to any act or failure to act by any person prior to such effective date and all such prior contracts, acts or failure to act shall continue to be governed by the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 22 See References in Text note below. as in effect prior to the enactment of this section. All designations of bona fide spot markets and all rules and regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 2 which were in effect on the effective date of this section, shall remain fully effective as designations and regulations under this section until superseded, amended, or terminated by the Secretary.
(m)There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Commodity Exchange Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, 42 Stat. 998, which is classified generally to chapter 1 (§ 1 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1 of this title and Tables. The United States Cotton Standards Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(5), is act Mar. 4, 1923, ch. 288, 42 Stat. 1517, which is classified generally to chapter 2 (§ 51 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 51 of this title and Tables. The Internal Revenue Code of 1954, referred to in subsec. (l), was redesignated the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, and is classified to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1976, and not as part of the Commodity Exchange Act which comprises this chapter. Section is comprised of section 1952(a)–(m) of Pub. L. 94–455. section 1952(b) of Pub. L. 94–455 repealed subchapter D of former chapter 39 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. See
Prior Provisions
note preceding section 4701 of Title 26. This section, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), was in the original a reference to this “Act”, meaning the United States Cotton Futures Act, which comprises this section. In subsec. (f)(1)(G), “chapters 1 to 11 of title 40 and division C (except section 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41” substituted for “the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.)” on authority of Pub. L. 107–217, § 5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, which Act enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, and Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 114–36 inserted a dash after “except that”, designated “any cotton futures contract that, by its terms, is settled in cash is excluded from the coverage of this paragraph and section.” as subpar. (A), and added subpar. (B). 2000—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 106–472 inserted at end “A person complying with the preceding sentence shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising or resulting from such compliance.” 1991—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 102–237 inserted before period at end “, except that any cotton futures contract that, by its terms, is settled in cash is excluded from the coverage of this paragraph and section”. 1981—Subsec. (f)(1)(G). Pub. L. 97–35 inserted provisions relating to crediting to account referred to in section 55 of this title and provisions respecting cotton samples submitted or used becoming the property of the United States.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2015 Amendment Pub. L. 114–36, § 1(b), July 20, 2015, 129 Stat. 435, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to cotton futures contracts entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 20, 2015].”
Effective Date
of 1981 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 97–35 effective Oct. 1, 1981, see section 156(e) of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 61a of this title.
Effective Date
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1952(o), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1846, provided that: “The provisions of this section [enacting this section, amending section 6808 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, and repealing section 7233 and 7263, subchapter D of chapter 39, and subchapter E of chapter 76 of Title 26] shall take effect on the 90th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 4, 1976].”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 15b
Title 7 — Agriculture
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73