CFTC Renews Advisory Committee Qualification Forms

2026-14509, Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants

Starting August 17, 2026, swap dealers and big swap players get some margin rule relief! New rules say certain new investment funds won’t have to exchange initial margin for up to three years, and more types of money market funds can now count as good collateral. Plus, the rules tweak how much value gets discounted on some assets, making it easier and cheaper to trade uncleared swaps.

2026-17079, Commodity Pool Operators and Commodity Trading Advisors: Reduction of Duplicative Regulation Through Intermediary Registration Exemptions; Expansion of the Exemption for Small Commodity Pools

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("Commission" or "CFTC") is proposing several amendments to its registration requirements for certain commodity pool operators ("CPOs") and commodity trading advisors ("CTAs") to reduce duplicative and overlapping regulation and reflect inflation ("Proposal"). The Proposal would add an exemption from CPO registration for certain investment advisers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Registered Investment Advisers" or "RIAs") in relation to commodity pools for which the participants are limited to certain sophisticated investors and which meet other conditions; add a related registration exemption for CTAs; and increase the total gross capital contributions threshold in the CPO registration exemption for small commodity pools (commonly referred to as the "Small Pool Exemption") to account for inflation. The Commission preliminarily intends for the Proposal, if adopted, to supersede certain no-action positions issued by the Commission's Market Participants Division ("MPD").

2026-16876, Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Intent To Extend Collection 3038-0059: Part 41, Relating to Security Futures Products

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("Commission" or "CFTC") is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed renewal of a collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act ("PRA"), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment. This notice solicits comments on collection requirements relating to security futures products.

2026-16631, Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Intent To Extend Collection 3038-0005

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC or Commission) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed renewal of a collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment. This notice solicits comments on the information collections associated with the rules relating to the operations and activities of commodity pool operators (CPOs) and commodity trading advisors (CTAs) and monthly reporting by futures commission merchants.

2026-16040, Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Intent To Renew Collection 3038-0103, Ownership and Control Reports, Forms 102/102S, 40/40S, and 71 (Trader and Account Identification Reports)

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) wants to keep collecting info from traders and accounts to better track who’s who in the futures and swaps markets. They’re asking for public feedback by October 5, 2026, before renewing these reporting forms. If you’re involved in trading, this affects you, but no new fees or big changes are planned—just a smooth continuation of current rules.

2026-16074, Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Intent to Extend Collection 3038-0091: Disclosure and Retention of Certain Information Relating to Cleared Swaps Customer Collateral

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("Commission") is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed renewal of a collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act ("PRA"), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment. This notice solicits comments on the proposed extension of the existing collection of information relating to Cleared Swaps Customer Collateral.

Previous: 2026-04394, Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meeting

The NIH’s Center for Scientific Review is holding a secret virtual meeting on March 17, 2026, to review important grant applications. This meeting was delayed by a government shutdown but is now urgent to keep vital health research funding on track. Scientists and public health projects counting on these grants will feel the impact as decisions get back on schedule.

Next: 2026-04397, Reestablishment of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

The IRS is bringing back the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) for another two years to help taxpayers share their ideas and improve IRS services. TAP includes 75 volunteers from every state, DC, Puerto Rico, and international taxpayers, all working for free. This effort kicks off soon with a budget of about $1.6 million, mainly for meetings and outreach, making sure your voice helps shape tax services.