(a) Authority(1) In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), but notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Commission, by rule, regulation, or order, may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any person, security, or transaction, or any class or classes of persons, securities, or transactions, from any provision or provisions of this chapter or of any rule or regulation thereunder, to the extent that such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors.
(2) ProceduresThe Commission shall, by rule or regulation, determine the procedures under which an exemptive order under this section shall be granted and may, in its sole discretion, decline to entertain any application for an order of exemption under this section.
(b) LimitationThe Commission may not, under this section, exempt any person, security, or transaction, or any class or classes of persons, securities, or transactions from section 78o–5 of this title or the rules or regulations issued thereunder or (for purposes of section 78o–5 of this title and the rules and regulations issued thereunder) from any definition in paragraph (42), (43), (44), or (45) of section 78c(a) of this title.
(c) DerivativesUnless the Commission is expressly authorized by any provision described in this subsection to grant exemptions, the Commission shall not grant exemptions, with respect to amendments made by subtitle B of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010, with respect to paragraphs (65), (66), (68), (69), (70), (71), (72), (73), (74), (75), (76), and (79) of section 78c(a) of this title, and sections 78j–2(a), 78j–2(b), 78j–2(c), 78m–1, 78o–10, 78q–1(g), 78q–1(h), 78q–1(i), 78q–1(j), 78q–1(k), and 78q–1(l) of this title; provided that the Commission shall have exemptive authority under this chapter with respect to security-based swaps as to the same matters that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has under the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 with respect to swaps, including under section 6(c) of title 7.
Structure US Code
CHAPTER 2B— SECURITIES EXCHANGES
§ 78b. Necessity for regulation
§ 78c. Definitions and application
§ 78c–2. Securities-related derivatives
§ 78c–3. Clearing for security-based swaps
§ 78c–4. Security-based swap execution facilities
§ 78c–5. Segregation of assets held as collateral in security-based swap transactions
§ 78d. Securities and Exchange Commission
§ 78d–1. Delegation of functions by Commission
§ 78d–2. Transfer of functions with respect to assignment of personnel to chairman
§ 78d–3. Appearance and practice before the Commission
§ 78d–4. Additional duties of Inspector General
§ 78d–6. Report and certification of internal supervisory controls
§ 78d–7. Triennial report on personnel management
§ 78d–8. Annual financial controls audit
§ 78d–9. Report on oversight of national securities associations
§ 78e. Transactions on unregistered exchanges
§ 78f. National securities exchanges
§ 78h. Restrictions on borrowing and lending by members, brokers, and dealers
§ 78i. Manipulation of security prices
§ 78j. Manipulative and deceptive devices
§ 78j–3. Compensation committees
§ 78j–4. Recovery of erroneously awarded compensation policy
§ 78k. Trading by members of exchanges, brokers, and dealers
§ 78k–1. National market system for securities; securities information processors
§ 78l. Registration requirements for securities
§ 78l–1. Applications for unlisted trading privileges deemed filed under
§ 78m. Periodical and other reports
§ 78m–1. Reporting and recordkeeping for certain security-based swaps
§ 78m–2. Reporting requirements regarding coal or other mine safety
§ 78n–1. Shareholder approval of executive compensation
§ 78o. Registration and regulation of brokers and dealers
§ 78o–1. Brokers deemed to be registered
§ 78o–2. Liabilities arising prior to amendment unaffected
§ 78o–3. Registered securities associations
§ 78o–4a. Commission Office of Municipal Securities
§ 78o–5. Government securities brokers and dealers
§ 78o–6. Securities analysts and research reports
§ 78o–7. Registration of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations
§ 78o–8. Universal ratings symbols
§ 78o–9. Study and rulemaking on assigned credit ratings
§ 78o–11. Credit risk retention
§ 78p. Directors, officers, and principal stockholders
§ 78q–1. National system for clearance and settlement of securities transactions
§ 78q–2. Automated quotation systems for penny stocks
§ 78r. Liability for misleading statements
§ 78s. Registration, responsibilities, and oversight of self-regulatory organizations
§ 78t. Liability of controlling persons and persons who aid and abet violations
§ 78t–1. Liability to contemporaneous traders for insider trading
§ 78u. Investigations and actions
§ 78u–1. Civil penalties for insider trading
§ 78u–2. Civil remedies in administrative proceedings
§ 78u–3. Cease-and-desist proceedings
§ 78u–4. Private securities litigation
§ 78u–5. Application of safe harbor for forward-looking statements
§ 78u–6. Securities whistleblower incentives and protection
§ 78u–7. Implementation and transition provisions for whistleblower protection
§ 78w. Rules, regulations, and orders; annual reports
§ 78x. Public availability of information
§ 78y. Court review of orders and rules
§ 78z. Unlawful representations
§ 78aa. Jurisdiction of offenses and suits
§ 78aa–1. Special provision relating to statute of limitations on private causes of action
§ 78bb. Effect on existing law
§ 78dd. Foreign securities exchanges
§ 78dd–1. Prohibited foreign trade practices by issuers
§ 78dd–2. Prohibited foreign trade practices by domestic concerns
§ 78dd–3. Prohibited foreign trade practices by persons other than issuers or domestic concerns
§ 78hh–1. Effective date of certain sections
§ 78kk. Authorization of appropriations
§ 78ll. Requirements for the EDGAR system
§ 78mm. General exemptive authority
§ 78nn. Tennessee Valley Authority
§ 78pp. Investor Advisory Committee