H.R. 9717: To amend the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize certain treatment of customer property during commodity broker bankruptcy.

H.R. 9717 is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 15, 2026, by Representative Shri Thanedar, with co-sponsorship from Representative Kat Cammack. The bill aims to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to allow certain assets of a commodity broker to be treated as customer property during bankruptcy proceedings. Specifically, it seeks to authorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to include the broker's own cash, securities, and other property in the pool of assets available to satisfy customer claims if the broker's segregated customer funds are insufficient. This measure is designed to enhance the protection of customers by ensuring they have a higher priority in recovering their investments during a broker's bankruptcy.

Supporters of H.R. 9717 argue that the bill strengthens customer protections in the commodities market by ensuring that customers have a higher priority in recovering their investments during a broker's bankruptcy. By allowing the CFTC to include the broker's own assets in the pool available for customer claims, the bill aims to provide greater financial security and confidence for investors. This approach is seen as a proactive measure to prevent situations where customers are left with significant losses due to insufficient segregated funds, thereby promoting trust and stability in the commodities trading industry.

Critics of H.R. 9717 express concerns that the bill could impose additional financial burdens on commodity brokers, potentially leading to increased operational costs. They argue that requiring brokers to allocate their own assets to cover customer claims in the event of bankruptcy might deter firms from participating in the commodities market or lead to higher fees for customers. Additionally, some industry stakeholders worry that this approach could set a precedent that undermines the traditional separation between a broker's assets and customer funds, potentially complicating bankruptcy proceedings and affecting the overall efficiency of the market.

The analysis reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter, which pertains to the treatment of customer property during commodity broker bankruptcy, and the sponsor Shri Thanedar's top donor industries. The top donors are not primarily involved in the commodities sector, which reduces the likelihood of conflicts of interest. While there is significant lobbying activity in the policy area, the amounts contributed by these entities do not appear to directly influence the sponsor's legislative agenda regarding commodity brokers. For instance, SAILDRONE INC. has contributed a total of $787,767, but its focus is on marine technology rather than commodities, indicating a lack of direct influence on this specific bill.

Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.

Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026

Top industries funding Shri Thanedar, ranked by total contributions.

Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)