Applications of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for Designation as a Contract Market in Futures and Options on Five Year Agency Notes and Ten Year Agency Notes

AGENCY:

Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

ACTION:

Notice of availability of terms and conditions of proposed commodity futures and options contracts.

SUMMARY:

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME or Exchange) has applied for designation as a contract market in futures and options on five year agency notes and ten year agency notes. The proposals were submitted under the Commission's 45-day Fast Tract procedures. The Acting Director of the Division of Economic Analysis (Division) of the Commission, acting pursuant to the authority delegated by Commission Regulation 140.96, has determined that publication of the proposals for comment is in the public interest, will assist the Commission in considering the views of interested persons, and is consistent with the purpose of the Commodity Exchange Act.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before February 24, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons should submit their views and comments to Jean A. Webb, Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20581. In addition, comments may be sent by facsimile transmission to facsimile number (202) 418-5521, or by electronic mail to secretary@cftc.gov. Reference should be made to the CME five and ten year agency notes futures and options contracts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Please contact Thomas Leahy of the Division of Economic Analysis, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st NW, Washington, DC 20581, telephone (202) 418-5278. Facsimile number: (202) 418-5527. Electronic mail: tleahy@cftc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The proposed designation applications were submitted pursuant to the Commission's Fast Track procedures for streamlining the review of futures contract rule amendments and new contract approvals (62 FR 10434). Under those procedures, the proposals, absent any contrary action by the Commission, may be deemed approved at the close of business on March 13, 2000, 45 days after receipt of the proposals. In view of the limited period under the Fast Track procedures, the Commission has determined to publish for public comment notice of the availability of the terms and conditions for 15 days, rather than 30 days as provided for proposals submitted under the regular review procedures.

Copies of the terms and conditions will be available for inspection at the Office of the Secretariat, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20581. Copies of the proposed amendments can be obtained through the Office of the Secretariat by mail at the above address, by phone at (202) 418-5100, or via the internet on the CFTC website at www.cftc.gov under “What's New & Pending”.

Other materials submitted by the CME in support of the applications for contract market designation may be available upon request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Commission's regulations thereunder (17 CFR Part 145 (1997)), except to the extent they are entitled to confidential treatment as set forth in 17 CFR 145.5 and 145.9. Requests for copies of such materials should be made to the FOI, Privacy and Sunshine Act Compliance Staff of the Office of Secretariat at the Commission's headquarters in accordance with 17 CFR 145.7 and 145.8.

Any person interested in submitting written data, views, or arguments on the proposed amendments, or with respect to other materials submitted by the CME, should send such comments to Jean A. Webb, Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20581 by the specified date.