15 U.S.C. § 1 — Trusts, etc., in restraint of trade illegal; pen-

Page 3 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 Sec. 4. Jurisdiction of courts; duty of United States attorneys; procedure. 5. Bringing in additional parties. 6. Forfeiture of property in transit. 6a. Conduct involving trade or commerce with foreign nations. 7. ‘‘Person’’ or ‘‘persons’’ defined. 7a. Definitions. 7a–1. Limitation on recovery. 7a–2. Rights, authorities, and liabilities not af- fected. 7a–3. Anti-retaliation protection for whistle- blowers. 8. Trusts in restraint of import trade illegal; penalty. 9. Jurisdiction of courts; duty of United States attorneys; procedure. 10. Bringing in additional parties. 11. Forfeiture of property in transit. 12. Definitions; short title. 13. Discrimination in price, services, or facilities. 13a. Discrimination in rebates, discounts, or ad- vertising service charges; underselling in particular localities; penalties. 13b. Cooperative association; return of net earn- ings or surplus. 13c. Exemption of non-profit institutions from price discrimination provisions. 14. Sale, etc., on agreement not to use goods of competitor. 15. Suits by persons injured. 15a. Suits by United States; amount of recovery; prejudgment interest. 15b. Limitation of actions. 15c. Actions by State attorneys general. 15d. Measurement of damages. 15e. Distribution of damages. 15f. Actions by Attorney General. 15g. Definitions. 15h. Applicability of parens patriae actions. 16. Judgments. 17. Antitrust laws not applicable to labor organi- zations. 18. Acquisition by one corporation of stock of an- other. 18a. Premerger notification and waiting period. 18b. Mergers involving foreign government sub- sidies. 19. Interlocking directorates and officers. 19a, 20. Repealed. 21. Enforcement provisions. 21a. Actions and proceedings pending prior to June 19, 1936; additional and continuing vio- lations. 22. District in which to sue corporation. 23. Suits by United States; subpoenas for wit- nesses. 24. Liability of directors and agents of corpora- tion. 25. Restraining violations; procedure. 26. Injunctive relief for private parties; excep- tion; costs. 26a. Restrictions on the purchase of gasohol and synthetic motor fuel. 26b. Application of antitrust laws to professional major league baseball. 27. Effect of partial invalidity. 27a. Transferred. 28. Repealed. 29. Appeals. 30 to 33. Repealed. 34. Definitions applicable to sections 34 to 36. 35. Recovery of damages, etc., for antitrust vio- lations from any local government, or offi- cial or employee thereof acting in an offi- cial capacity. 36. Recovery of damages, etc., for antitrust vio- lations on claim against person based on of- ficial action directed by local government, or official or employee thereof acting in an official capacity. Sec. 37. Immunity from antitrust laws. 37a. Definitions. 37b. Confirmation of antitrust status of graduate medical resident matching programs. 38. Association of marine insurance companies; application of antitrust laws. Editorial Notes HISTORICAL NOTE This chapter includes among other statutory provi- sions the Sherman Act, comprising sections 1 to 7 of this title, the Clayton Act, comprising sections 12, 13, 14 to 19, 20, 21, and 22 to 27 of this title and sections 52 and 53 of Title 29, Labor, the Wilson Tariff Act, com- prising sections 8 and 9 of this title, the Robinson-Pat- man Price Discrimination Act, comprising sections 13, 13a, 13b, and 21a of this title, the ‘‘Expediting Act’’, sec- tions 28 and 29 of this title, and the ‘‘Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976’’, comprising sec- tions 15c to 15h, 18a, and 66 of this title. For complete classification of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, see Short Title note under section 1 of this title. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION OF MONOPOLY Joint Res. June 16, 1938, ch. 456, 52 Stat. 705, created a Temporary National Economic Committee which was authorized to make a full investigation on monopoly and the concentration of economic power in and finan- cial control over production and distribution of goods and services. The time for submitting the final report under Joint Res. June 16, 1938, ch. 456, 52 Stat. 705, as amended Apr. 26, 1939, ch. 104, §§ 1, 2, 53 Stat. 624, was extended to Apr. 3, 1941, by Joint Res. Dec. 16, 1940, ch. 932, 54 Stat. 1225. The committee’s report was presented to Congress on Mar. 31, 1941, and was published in Sen- ate Document No. 35. Executive Documents EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 12022 Ex. Ord. No. 12022, Dec. 1, 1977, 42 F.R. 61441, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12052, Apr. 7, 1978, 43 F.R. 15133, which related to the National Commission for the Review of Antitrust Laws and Procedures, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12258, Dec. 31, 1980, 46 F.R. 1251, for- merly set out as a note under section 14 of the Appen- dix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employ- ees. § 1. Trusts, etc., in restraint of trade illegal; pen- alty Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared to be illegal. Every person who shall make any contract or engage in any combination or conspiracy hereby declared to be illegal shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not exceeding $100,000,000 if a corporation, or, if any other person, $1,000,000, or by imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or by both said punishments, in the discretion of the court. (July 2, 1890, ch. 647, § 1, 26 Stat. 209; Aug. 17, 1937, ch. 690, title VIII, 50 Stat. 693; July 7, 1955, ch. 281, 69 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 93–528, § 3, Dec. 21, 1974, 88 Stat. 1708; Pub. L. 94–145, § 2, Dec. 12, 1975, 89 Stat. 801; Pub. L. 101–588, § 4(a), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2880; Pub. L. 108–237, title II, § 215(a), June 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 668.) Page 4 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2004—Pub. L. 108–237 substituted ‘‘$100,000,000’’ for ‘‘$10,000,000’’, ‘‘$1,000,000’’ for ‘‘$350,000’’, and ‘‘10’’ for ‘‘three’’. 1990—Pub. L. 101–588 substituted ‘‘$10,000,000’’ for ‘‘one million dollars’’ and ‘‘$350,000’’ for ‘‘one hundred thou- sand dollars’’. 1975—Pub. L. 94–145 struck out from first sentence two provisos granting anti-trust exemption to State fair trade laws. 1974—Pub. L. 93–528 substituted ‘‘a felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not ex- ceeding one million dollars if a corporation, or, if any other person, one hundred thousand dollars, or by im- prisonment not exceeding three years’’ for ‘‘a mis- demeanor, and on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not exceeding fifty thousand dollars, or by im- prisonment not exceeding one year’’. 1955—Act July 7, 1955, substituted ‘‘fifty thousand dollars’’ for ‘‘five thousand dollars’’. 1937—Act Aug. 17, 1937, inserted two provisos. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2001 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 107–72, § 4, Nov. 20, 2001, 115 Stat. 650, provided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting and amending provisions set out as notes under this section] and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on September 30, 2001.’’ EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 94–145, § 4, Dec. 12, 1974, 89 Stat. 801, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by sections 2 and 3 of this Act [amending this section and section 45 of this title] shall take effect upon the expiration of the nine- ty-day period which begins on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 1975].’’ SHORT TITLE OF 2022 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 117–328, div. GG, § 101, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5967, provided that: ‘‘This division [enacting section 18b of this title, amending section 1407 of Title 28, Judici- ary and Judicial Procedure, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 18b of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 18a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Merger Filing Fee Mod- ernization Act of 2022’.’’ [Another section 101 of div. GG of Pub. L. 117–328 amended provisions set out as a note under section 18a of this title.] SHORT TITLE OF 2020 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 116–257, § 1, Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1147, pro- vided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting section 7a–3 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Criminal Antitrust Anti-Re- taliation Act of 2019’.’’ Pub. L. 116–159, div. D, title III, § 4301, Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 742, provided that: ‘‘This title [enacting provi- sions set out as notes under section 7a of this title and amending and repealing provisions set out as notes under this section] may be cited as the ‘Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Permanent Extension Act’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 2015 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 114–44, § 1, Aug. 6, 2015, 129 Stat. 472, provided that: ‘‘This Act [amending provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2015’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 2009 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 111–30, § 1, June 19, 2009, 123 Stat. 1775, pro- vided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting and amending provi- sions set out as notes under this section] may be cited as the ‘Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 Extension Act’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 2008 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 110–327, § 1, Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3566, pro- vided that: ‘‘This Act [amending provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Need- Based Educational Aid Act of 2008’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 2007 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 110–6, § 1, Feb. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 61, provided that: ‘‘This Act [amending provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Antitrust Mod- ernization Commission Extension Act of 2007’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 2004 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 108–237, title II, § 201, June 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 665, provided that: ‘‘This title [amending this section and sections 2, 3, and 16 of this title and enacting provi- sions set out as notes under this section and section 16 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 2002 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title IV, § 14101, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1921, provided that: ‘‘This title [amending sec- tions 3, 12, 27, and 44 of this title, section 225 of Title 7, Agriculture, section 1413 of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining, and section 2135 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, repealing sections 30 and 31 of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under sec- tion 3 of this title, amending provisions set out as notes under this section and section 8 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as notes under section 15 of this title and section 41309 of Title 49, Transportation] may be cited as the ‘Antitrust Technical Corrections Act of 2002’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 2001 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 107–72, § 1, Nov. 20, 2001, 115 Stat. 648, provided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting and amending provisions set out as notes under this section] may be cited as the ‘Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2001’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1998 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 105–297, § 1, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2824, pro- vided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting section 26b of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 26b of this title] may be cited as the ‘Curt Flood Act of 1998’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1997 AMENDMENTS Pub. L. 105–43, § 1, Sept. 17, 1997, 111 Stat. 1140, pro- vided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting and amending provi- sions set out as notes below] may be cited as the ‘Need- Based Educational Aid Antitrust Protection Act of 1997’.’’ Pub. L. 105–26, § 1, July 3, 1997, 111 Stat. 241, provided that: ‘‘This Act [amending sections 37 and 37a of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sec- tion 37 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Charitable Do- nation Antitrust Immunity Act of 1997’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1995 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 104–63, § 1, Dec. 8, 1995, 109 Stat. 687, provided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting sections 37 and 37a of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 37 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Charitable Gift Annu- ity Antitrust Relief Act of 1995’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1990 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 101–588, § 1, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2879, pro- vided: ‘‘That this Act [amending this section and sec- tions 2, 3, 15a, and 19 of this title and repealing section 20 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Antitrust Amend- ments Act of 1990’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1984 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 98–544, § 1, Oct. 24, 1984, 98 Stat. 2750, provided: ‘‘That this Act [enacting sections 34 to 36 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 34 of this Page 5 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 title] may be cited as the ‘Local Government Antitrust Act of 1984’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1982 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 97–290, title IV, § 401, Oct. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 1246, provided that: ‘‘This title [enacting section 6a of this title and amending section 45 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvements Act of 1982’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1980 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 96–493, § 1, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2568, provided: ‘‘That this Act [enacting section 26a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Gasohol Competition Act of 1980’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1976 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 94–435, § 1, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1383, pro- vided: ‘‘That this Act [enacting sections 15c to 15h, 18a, and 66 of this title, amending sections 12, 15b, 16, 26, and 1311 to 1314 of this title, section 1505 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and section 1407 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and enacting provi- sions set out as notes under sections 8, 15c, 18a, and 1311 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1975 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 94–145, § 1, Dec. 12, 1975, 89 Stat. 801, provided: ‘‘That this Act [amending this section and section 45 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Consumer Goods Pricing Act of 1975’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1974 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 93–528, § 1, Dec. 21, 1974, 88 Stat. 1706, provided: ‘‘That this Act [amending this section and section 2, 3, 16, 28, and 29 of this title, section 401 of Title 47, Tele- communications, and sections 43, 44, and 45 of former Title 49, Transportation, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 29 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act’.’’ SHORT TITLE Pub. L. 94–435, title III, § 305(a), Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1397, added immediately following the enacting clause of act July 2, 1890, the following: ‘‘That this Act [this section and sections 2 to 7 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Sherman Act’.’’ ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENTS AND COOPERATION INCENTIVES Pub. L. 108–237, title II, § 211, June 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 666, as amended by Pub. L. 111–30, § 2, June 19, 2009, 123 Stat. 1775; Pub. L. 111–190, § 1, June 9, 2010, 124 Stat. 1275, which provided a sunset date for sections 211 to 214 of Pub. L. 108–237, with exceptions, was repealed by Pub. L. 116–159, div. D, title III, § 4303(a), Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 742, with continuity provision for markers and agreements existing on or before June 22, 2020. Pub. L. 108–237, title II, § 212, June 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 666, as amended by Pub. L. 111–190, § 2, June 9, 2010, 124 Stat. 1275; Pub. L. 116–159, div. D, title III, § 4303(b)(2), Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 742, which defined terms for sec- tions 211 to 215 of Pub. L. 108–237, was transferred to section 7a of this title. Pub. L. 108–237, title II, § 213, June 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 666, as amended by Pub. L. 111–190, § 3, June 9, 2010, 124 Stat. 1275, which provided limitation on recovery, was transferred to section 7a–1 of this title. Pub. L. 108–237, title II, § 214, June 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 667, as amended by Pub. L. 111–190, § 4, June 9, 2010, 124 Stat. 1276, which provided rights, authorities, and li- abilities not affected by sections 211 to 215 of Pub. L. 108–237, was transferred to section 7a–2 of this title. ANTITRUST MODERNIZATION COMMISSION Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, subtitle D, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1856, as amended by Pub. L. 110–6, § 2, Feb. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 61, provided that: ‘‘SEC. 11051. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘This subtitle may be cited as the ‘Antitrust Mod- ernization Commission Act of 2002’. ‘‘SEC. 11052. ESTABLISHMENT. ‘‘There is established the Antitrust Modernization Commission (in this subtitle referred to as the ‘Com- mission’). ‘‘SEC. 11053. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. ‘‘The duties of the Commission are— ‘‘(1) to examine whether the need exists to mod- ernize the antitrust laws and to identify and study re- lated issues; ‘‘(2) to solicit views of all parties concerned with the operation of the antitrust laws; ‘‘(3) to evaluate the advisability of proposals and current arrangements with respect to any issues so identified; and ‘‘(4) to prepare and to submit to Congress and the President a report in accordance with section 11058. ‘‘SEC. 11054. MEMBERSHIP. ‘‘(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall be composed of 12 members appointed as follows: ‘‘(1) Four members, no more than 2 of whom shall be of the same political party, shall be appointed by the President. The President shall appoint members of the opposing party only on the recommendation of the leaders of Congress from that party. ‘‘(2) Two members shall be appointed by the major- ity leader of the Senate. ‘‘(3) Two members shall be appointed by the minor- ity leader of the Senate. ‘‘(4) Two members shall be appointed by the Speak- er of the House of Representatives. ‘‘(5) Two members shall be appointed by the minor- ity leader of the House of Representatives. ‘‘(b) INELIGIBILITY FOR APPOINTMENT.—Members of Congress shall be ineligible for appointment to the Commission. ‘‘(c) TERM OF APPOINTMENT.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), mem- bers of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. ‘‘(2) EARLY TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT.—If a member of the Commission who is appointed to the Commission as— ‘‘(A) an officer or employee of a government ceases to be an officer or employee of such govern- ment; or ‘‘(B) an individual who is not an officer or em- ployee of a government becomes an officer or em- ployee of a government; then such member shall cease to be a member of the Commission on the expiration of the 90-day period be- ginning on the date such member ceases to be such offi- cer or employee of such government, or becomes an of- ficer or employee of a government, as the case may be. ‘‘(d) QUORUM.—Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may conduct meetings. ‘‘(e) APPOINTMENT DEADLINE.—Initial appointments under subsection (a) shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 2, 2002]. ‘‘(f) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson. The first meeting of the Com- mission shall be held not later than 30 days after the date on which all members of the Commission are first appointed under subsection (a) or funds are appro- priated to carry out this subtitle, whichever occurs later. ‘‘(g) VACANCY.—A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment is made. ‘‘(h) CONSULTATION BEFORE APPOINTMENT.—Before ap- pointing members of the Commission, the President, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the mi- nority leader of the House of Representatives shall con- Page 6 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 sult with each other to ensure fair and equitable rep- resentation of various points of view in the Commis- sion. ‘‘(i) CHAIRPERSON; VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The President shall select the chairperson of the Commission from among its appointed members. The leaders of Congress from the opposing party of the President shall select the vice chairperson of the Commission from among its remaining members. ‘‘SEC. 11055. COMPENSATION OF THE COMMISSION. ‘‘(a) PAY.— ‘‘(1) NONGOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—Each member of the Commission who is not otherwise employed by a government shall be entitled to receive the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5 United States Code, as in effect from time to time, for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the actual perform- ance of duties of the Commission. ‘‘(2) GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—A member of the Commission who is an officer or employee of a gov- ernment shall serve without additional pay (or bene- fits in the nature of compensation) for service as a member of the Commission. ‘‘(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the Commission shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chap- ter 57 of title 5, United States Code. ‘‘SEC. 11056. STAFF OF COMMISSION; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS. ‘‘(a) STAFF.— ‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT.—The chairperson of the Com- mission may, without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 of title 5 of the United States Code (relat- ing to appointments in the competitive service), ap- point and terminate an executive director and such other staff as are necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. The appointment of an execu- tive director shall be subject to approval by the Com- mission. ‘‘(2) COMPENSATION.—The chairperson of the Com- mission may fix the compensation of the executive director and other staff without regard to the provi- sions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5 of the United States Code (relating to classi- fication of positions and General Schedule pay rates), except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other staff may not exceed the rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5 United States Code, as in effect from time to time. ‘‘(b) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. ‘‘SEC. 11057. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. ‘‘(a) HEARINGS AND MEETINGS.—The Commission, or a member of the Commission if authorized by the Com- mission, may hold such hearings, sit and act at such time and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the Commission considers to be appro- priate. The Commission or a member of the Commis- sion may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Commission or such member. ‘‘(b) OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission may obtain di- rectly from any executive agency (as defined in section 105 of title 5 of the United States Code) or court infor- mation necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this subtitle. On the request of the chairperson of the Commission, and consistent with any other law, the head of an executive agency or of a Federal court shall provide such information to the Commission. ‘‘(c) FACILITIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.—The Admin- istrator of General Services shall provide to the Com- mission on a reimbursable basis such facilities and sup- port services as the Commission may request. On re- quest of the Commission, the head of an executive agency may make any of the facilities or services of such agency available to the Commission, on a reim- bursable or nonreimbursable basis, to assist the Com- mission in carrying out its duties under this subtitle. ‘‘(d) EXPENDITURES AND CONTRACTS.—The Commission or, on authorization of the Commission, a member of the Commission may make expenditures and enter into contracts for the procurement of such supplies, serv- ices, and property as the Commission or such member considers to be appropriate for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Commission. Such expenditures and contracts may be made only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropria- tion Acts. ‘‘(e) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States. ‘‘(f) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.—The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or de- vises of services or property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be available for disbursement upon order of the Commission. ‘‘SEC. 11058. REPORT. ‘‘Not later than 3 years after the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a report containing a detailed state- ment of the findings and conclusions of the Commis- sion, together with recommendations for legislative or administrative action the Commission considers to be appropriate. ‘‘SEC. 11059. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION. ‘‘The Commission shall cease to exist 60 days after the date on which the report required by section 11058 is submitted. ‘‘SEC. 11060. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ‘‘There is authorized to be appropriated $4,000,000 to carry out this subtitle.’’ YEAR 2000 INFORMATION AND READINESS DISCLOSURE Pub. L. 105–271, Oct. 19, 1998, 112 Stat. 2386, as amend- ed by Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title IV, § 14102(e), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1922, known as the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, provided for the free dis- closure and exchange of information about computer processing problems, solutions, test practices and test results, and related matters in connection with the transition to the year 2000. APPLICATION OF ANTITRUST LAWS TO AWARD OF NEED- BASED EDUCATIONAL AID Pub. L. 107–72, § 3, Nov. 20, 2001, 115 Stat. 648, provided that: ‘‘(a) STUDY.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the effect of the antitrust exemp- tion on institutional student aid under section 568 of the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 1 note) [Pub. L. 103–382, see below]. ‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—The Comptroller General shall have final authority to determine the content of the study under paragraph (1), but in determining the content of the study, the Comptroller General shall consult with— ‘‘(A) the institutions of higher education partici- pating under the antitrust exemption under section 568 of the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 1 note) (referred to in this Act [see Short Title of 2001 Amendment note above] as the ‘par- ticipating institutions’); ‘‘(B) the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice; and ‘‘(C) other persons that the Comptroller General determines are appropriate. Page 7 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 ‘‘(3) MATTERS STUDIED.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The study under paragraph (1) shall— ‘‘(i) examine the needs analysis methodologies used by participating institutions; ‘‘(ii) identify trends in undergraduate costs of attendance and institutional undergraduate grant aid among participating institutions, including— ‘‘(I) the percentage of first-year students re- ceiving institutional grant aid; ‘‘(II) the mean and median grant eligibility and institutional grant aid to first-year stu- dents; and ‘‘(III) the mean and median parental and stu- dent contributions to undergraduate costs of at- tendance for first year students receiving insti- tutional grant aid; ‘‘(iii) to the extent useful in determining the ef- fect of the antitrust exemption under section 568 of the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 1 note), examine— ‘‘(I) comparison data, identified in clauses (i) and (ii), from institutions of higher education that do not participate under the antitrust ex- emption under section 568 of the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 1 note); and ‘‘(II) other baseline trend data from national benchmarks; and ‘‘(iv) examine any other issues that the Comp- troller General determines are appropriate, in- cluding other types of aid affected by section 568 of the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 1 note). ‘‘(B) ASSESSMENT.— ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The study under paragraph (1) shall assess what effect the antitrust exemption on institutional student aid has had on institu- tional undergraduate grant aid and parental con- tribution to undergraduate costs of attendance. ‘‘(ii) CHANGES OVER TIME.—The assessment under clause (i) shall consider any changes in in- stitutional undergraduate grant aid and parental contribution to undergraduate costs of attend- ance over time for institutions of higher edu- cation, including consideration of— ‘‘(I) the time period prior to adoption of the consensus methodologies at participating insti- tutions; and ‘‘(II) the data examined pursuant to subpara- graph (A)(iii). ‘‘(b) REPORT.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 30, 2006, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Rep- resentatives that contains the findings and conclu- sions of the Comptroller General regarding the mat- ters studied under subsection (a). ‘‘(2) IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS.—The Comptroller General shall not identify an individual institution of higher education in information sub- mitted in the report under paragraph (1) unless the information on the institution is available to the public. ‘‘(c) RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENT.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For the purpose of completing the study under subsection (a)(1), a participating in- stitution shall— ‘‘(A) collect and maintain for each academic year until the study under subsection (a)(1) is com- pleted— ‘‘(i) student-level data that is sufficient, in the judgment of the Comptroller General, to permit the analysis of expected family contributions, identified need, and undergraduate grant aid awards; and ‘‘(ii) information on formulas used by the insti- tution to determine need; and ‘‘(B) submit the data and information under para- graph (1) to the Comptroller General at such time as the Comptroller General may reasonably require. ‘‘(2) NON-PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require an insti- tution of higher education that does not participate under the antitrust exemption under section 568 of the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 1 note) to collect and maintain data under this subsection.’’ Pub. L. 103–382, title V, § 568(a)–(d), Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 4060, 4061, as amended by Pub. L. 105–43, § 2(a), Sept. 17, 1997, 111 Stat. 1140; Pub. L. 105–244, title I, § 102(a)(3), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1618; Pub. L. 107–72, § 2, Nov. 20, 2001, 115 Stat. 648; Pub. L. 110–327, § 2, Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3566; Pub. L. 114–44, § 2, Aug. 6, 2015, 129 Stat. 472, provided that: ‘‘(a) EXEMPTION.—It shall not be unlawful under the antitrust laws for 2 or more institutions of higher edu- cation at which all students admitted are admitted on a need-blind basis, to agree or attempt to agree— ‘‘(1) to award such students financial aid only on the basis of demonstrated financial need for such aid; ‘‘(2) to use common principles of analysis for deter- mining the need of such students for financial aid if the agreement to use such principles does not restrict financial aid officers at such institutions in their ex- ercising independent professional judgment with re- spect to individual applicants for such financial aid; or ‘‘(3) to use a common aid application form for need- based financial aid for such students if the agreement to use such form does not restrict such institutions in their requesting from such students, or in their using, data in addition to the data requested on such form. ‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to— ‘‘(1) any financial aid or assistance authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.); or ‘‘(2) any contract, combination, or conspiracy with respect to the amount or terms of any prospective fi- nancial aid award to a specific individual. ‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section— ‘‘(1) the term ‘alien’ has the meaning given such term in section 101(3) [101(a)(3)] of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(3) [1101(a)(3)]); ‘‘(2) the term ‘antitrust laws’ has the meaning given such term in subsection (a) of the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12(a)), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal Trade Commis- sion Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent such section ap- plies to unfair methods of competition; ‘‘(3) the term ‘institution of higher education’ has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1001]; ‘‘(4) the term ‘lawfully admitted for permanent res- idence’ has the meaning given such term in section 101(20) [101(a)(20)] of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(20) [1101(a)(20)]); ‘‘(5) the term ‘national of the United States’ has the meaning given such term in section 101(22) [101(a)(22)] of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(22) [1101(a)(22)]); ‘‘(6) the term ‘on a need-blind basis’ means without regard to the financial circumstances of the student involved or the student’s family; and ‘‘(7) the term ‘student’ means, with respect to an institution of higher education, a national of the United States or an alien admitted for permanent residence who is admitted to attend an under- graduate program at such institution on a full-time basis. ‘‘(d) EXPIRATION.—Subsection (a) shall expire on Sep- tember 30, 2022.’’ [Pub. L. 105–43, § 2(b), Sept. 17, 1997, 111 Stat. 1140, pro- vided that: ‘‘The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending section 568(a)–(d) of Pub. L. 103–382, set out above] shall take effect immediately before September 30, 1997.’’] Page 8 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 Executive Documents EX. ORD. NO. 14036. PROMOTING COMPETITION IN THE AMERICAN ECONOMY Ex. Ord. No. 14036, July 9, 2021, 86 F.R. 36987, provided: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to promote the interests of American workers, businesses, and consumers, it is hereby ordered as follows: SECTION 1. Policy. A fair, open, and competitive mar- ketplace has long been a cornerstone of the American economy, while excessive market concentration threat- ens basic economic liberties, democratic account- ability, and the welfare of workers, farmers, small busi- nesses, startups, and consumers. The American promise of a broad and sustained pros- perity depends on an open and competitive economy. For workers, a competitive marketplace creates more high-quality jobs and the economic freedom to switch jobs or negotiate a higher wage. For small businesses and farmers, it creates more choices among suppliers and major buyers, leading to more take-home income, which they can reinvest in their enterprises. For entre- preneurs, it provides space to experiment, innovate, and pursue the new ideas that have for centuries pow- ered the American economy and improved our quality of life. And for consumers, it means more choices, bet- ter service, and lower prices. Robust competition is critical to preserving Amer- ica’s role as the world’s leading economy. Yet over the last several decades, as industries have consolidated, competition has weakened in too many markets, denying Americans the benefits of an open economy and widening racial, income, and wealth in- equality. Federal Government inaction has contributed to these problems, with workers, farmers, small busi- nesses, and consumers paying the price. Consolidation has increased the power of corporate employers, making it harder for workers to bargain for higher wages and better work conditions. Powerful companies require workers to sign non-compete agree- ments that restrict their ability to change jobs. And, while many occupational licenses are critical to in- creasing wages for workers and especially workers of color, some overly restrictive occupational licensing requirements can impede workers’ ability to find jobs and to move between States. Consolidation in the agricultural industry is making it too hard for small family farms to survive. Farmers are squeezed between concentrated market power in the agricultural input industries—seed, fertilizer, feed, and equipment suppliers—and concentrated market power in the channels for selling agricultural products. As a result, farmers’ share of the value of their agricul- tural products has decreased, and poultry farmers, hog farmers, cattle ranchers, and other agricultural work- ers struggle to retain autonomy and to make sustain- able returns. The American information technology sector has long been an engine of innovation and growth, but today a small number of dominant internet platforms use their power to exclude market entrants, to extract monopoly profits, and to gather intimate personal in- formation that they can exploit for their own advan- tage. Too many small businesses across the economy depend on those platforms and a few online market- places for their survival. And too many local news- papers have shuttered or downsized, in part due to the internet platforms’ dominance in advertising markets. Americans are paying too much for prescription drugs and healthcare services—far more than the prices paid in other countries. Hospital consolidation has left many areas, particularly rural communities, with inad- equate or more expensive healthcare options. And too often, patent and other laws have been misused to in- hibit or delay—for years and even decades—competi- tion from generic drugs and biosimilars, denying Amer- icans access to lower-cost drugs. In the telecommunications sector, Americans like- wise pay too much for broadband, cable television, and other communications services, in part because of a lack of adequate competition. In the financial-services sector, consumers pay steep and often hidden fees be- cause of industry consolidation. Similarly, the global container shipping industry has consolidated into a small number of dominant foreign-owned lines and alli- ances, which can disadvantage American exporters. The problem of economic consolidation now spans these sectors and many others, endangering our ability to rebuild and emerge from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic with a vibrant, innovative, and growing economy. Meanwhile, the United States faces new challenges to its economic standing in the world, including unfair competitive pressures from foreign monopolies and firms that are state-owned or state- sponsored, or whose market power is directly supported by foreign governments. We must act now to reverse these dangerous trends, which constrain the growth and dynamism of our econ- omy, impair the creation of high-quality jobs, and threaten America’s economic standing in the world. This order affirms that it is the policy of my Admin- istration to enforce the antitrust laws to combat the excessive concentration of industry, the abuses of mar- ket power, and the harmful effects of monopoly and monopsony—especially as these issues arise in labor markets, agricultural markets, Internet platform in- dustries, healthcare markets (including insurance, hos- pital, and prescription drug markets), repair markets, and United States markets directly affected by foreign cartel activity. It is also the policy of my Administration to enforce the antitrust laws to meet the challenges posed by new industries and technologies, including the rise of the dominant Internet platforms, especially as they stem from serial mergers, the acquisition of nascent com- petitors, the aggregation of data, unfair competition in attention markets, the surveillance of users, and the presence of network effects. Whereas decades of industry consolidation have often led to excessive market concentration, this order reaf- firms that the United States retains the authority to challenge transactions whose previous consummation was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act (26 Stat. 209, 15 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) (Sherman Act), the Clayton Anti- trust Act (Public Law 63–212, 38 Stat. 730, 15 U.S.C. 12 et seq.) (Clayton Act), or other laws. See 15 U.S.C. 18; Standard Oil Co. v. United States, 221 U.S. 1 (1911). This order reasserts as United States policy that the answer to the rising power of foreign monopolies and cartels is not the tolerance of domestic monopoliza- tion, but rather the promotion of competition and in- novation by firms small and large, at home and world- wide. It is also the policy of my Administration to support aggressive legislative reforms that would lower pre- scription drug prices, including by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, by imposing inflation caps, and through other related reforms. It is further the pol- icy of my Administration to support the enactment of a public health insurance option. My Administration further reaffirms the policy stat- ed in Executive Order 13725 of April 15, 2016 (Steps to Increase Competition and Better Inform Consumers and Workers to Support Continued Growth of the American Economy) [5 U.S.C. 601 note], and the Federal Govern- ment’s commitment to the principles that led to the passage of the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (Public Law 67–51, 42 Stat. 159, 7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) (Packers and Stockyards Act), the Celler-Kefauver Antimerger Act (Public Law 81–899, 64 Stat. 1125), the Bank Merger Act (Public Law 86–463, 74 Stat. 129, 12 U.S.C. 1828), and the Tele- communications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–104, 110 Stat. 56), among others. SEC. 2. The Statutory Basis of a Whole-of-Government Competition Policy. (a) The antitrust laws, including the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act (Public Law 63–203, 38 Stat. 717, 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.), are a first line of defense against the monopolization of the American economy. Page 9 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 (b) The antitrust laws reflect an underlying policy fa- voring competition that transcends those particular enactments. As the Supreme Court has stated, for in- stance, the Sherman Act ‘‘rests on the premise that the unrestrained interaction of competitive forces will yield the best allocation of our economic resources, the lowest prices, the highest quality and the greatest ma- terial progress, while at the same time providing an en- vironment conducive to the preservation of our demo- cratic political and social institutions.’’ Northern Pac. Ry. Co. v. United States, 356 U.S. 1, 4 (1958). (c) Consistent with these broader policies, and in ad- dition to the traditional antitrust laws, the Congress has also enacted industry-specific fair competition and anti-monopolization laws that often provide additional protections. Such enactments include the Packers and Stockyards Act, the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (Public Law 74–401, 49 Stat. 977, 27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), the Bank Merger Act, the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–417, 98 Stat. 1585), the Shipping Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–237, 98 Stat. 67, 46 U.S.C. 40101 et seq.) (Shipping Act), the ICC Termination Act of 1995 (Public Law 104–88, 109 Stat. 803), the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (Pub- lic Law 108–164, 117 Stat. 2024, 15 U.S.C. 7601 et seq.), and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Pro- tection Act (Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376) (Dodd- Frank Act). (d) These statutes independently charge a number of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to pro- tect conditions of fair competition in one or more ways, including by: (i) policing unfair, deceptive, and abusive business practices; (ii) resisting consolidation and promoting competi- tion within industries through the independent over- sight of mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures; (iii) promulgating rules that promote competition, including the market entry of new competitors; and (iv) promoting market transparency through com- pelled disclosure of information. (e) The agencies that administer such or similar au- thorities include the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transpor- tation, the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Securities and Exchange Com- mission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Maritime Commission, the Commodity Futures Trad- ing Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Com- mission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Surface Transportation Board. (f) Agencies can influence the conditions of competi- tion through their exercise of regulatory authority or through the procurement process. See 41 U.S.C. 1705. (g) This order recognizes that a whole-of-government approach is necessary to address overconcentration, monopolization, and unfair competition in the Amer- ican economy. Such an approach is supported by exist- ing statutory mandates. Agencies can and should fur- ther the polices set forth in section 1 of this order by, among other things, adopting pro-competitive regula- tions and approaches to procurement and spending, and by rescinding regulations that create unnecessary bar- riers to entry that stifle competition. SEC. 3. Agency Cooperation in Oversight, Investigation, and Remedies. (a) The Congress frequently has created overlapping agency jurisdiction in the policing of anti- competitive conduct and the oversight of mergers. It is the policy of my Administration that, when agencies have overlapping jurisdiction, they should endeavor to cooperate fully in the exercise of their oversight au- thority, to benefit from the respective expertise of the agencies and to improve Government efficiency. (b) Where there is overlapping jurisdiction over par- ticular cases, conduct, transactions, or industries, agencies are encouraged to coordinate their efforts, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, with respect to: (i) the investigation of conduct potentially harmful to competition; (ii) the oversight of proposed mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures; and (iii) the design, execution, and oversight of remedies. (c) The means of cooperation in cases of overlapping jurisdiction should include, as appropriate and con- sistent with applicable law: (i) sharing relevant information and industry data; (ii) in the case of major transactions, soliciting and giving significant consideration to the views of the At- torney General or the Chair of the FTC, as applicable; and (iii) cooperating with any concurrent Department of Justice or FTC oversight activities under the Sherman Act or Clayton Act. (d) Nothing in subsections (a) through (c) of this sec- tion shall be construed to suggest that the statutory standard applied by an agency, or its independent as- sessment under that standard, should be displaced or substituted by the judgment of the Attorney General or the Chair of the FTC. When their views are solicited, the Attorney General and the Chair of the FTC are en- couraged to provide a response to the agency in time for the agency to consider it in advance of any statu- tory deadline for agency action. SEC. 4. The White House Competition Council. (a) There is established a White House Competition Council (Council) within the Executive Office of the President. (b) The Council shall coordinate, promote, and ad- vance Federal Government efforts to address overcon- centration, monopolization, and unfair competition in or directly affecting the American economy, including efforts to: (i) implement the administrative actions identified in this order; (ii) develop procedures and best practices for agency cooperation and coordination on matters of overlap- ping jurisdiction, as described in section 3 of this order; (iii) identify and advance any additional administra- tive actions necessary to further the policies set forth in section 1 of this order; and (iv) identify any potential legislative changes nec- essary to further the policies set forth in section 1 of this order. (c) The Council shall work across agencies to provide a coordinated response to overconcentration, monopo- lization, and unfair competition in or directly affecting the American economy. The Council shall also work with each agency to ensure that agency operations are conducted in a manner that promotes fair competition, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law. (d) The Council shall not discuss any current or an- ticipated enforcement actions. (e) The Council shall be led by the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the Na- tional Economic Council, who shall serve as Chair of the Council. (f) In addition to the Chair, the Council shall consist of the following members: (i) the Secretary of the Treasury; (ii) the Secretary of Defense; (iii) the Attorney General; (iv) the Secretary of Agriculture; (v) the Secretary of Commerce; (vi) the Secretary of Labor; (vii) the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (viii) the Secretary of Transportation; (ix) the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; and (x) the heads of such other agencies and offices as the Chair may from time to time invite to participate. (g) The Chair shall invite the participation of the Chair of the FTC, the Chair of the Federal Communica- tions Commission, the Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Chair of the Surface Trans- portation Board, to the extent consistent with their re- spective statutory authorities and obligations. (h) Members of the Council shall designate, not later than 30 days after the date of this order [July 9, 2021], Page 10 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 a senior official within their respective agency or office who shall coordinate with the Council and who shall be responsible for overseeing the agency’s or office’s ef- forts to address overconcentration, monopolization, and unfair competition. The Chair may coordinate sub- groups consisting exclusively of Council members or their designees, as appropriate. (i) The Council shall meet on a semi-annual basis un- less the Chair determines that a meeting is unneces- sary. (j) Each agency shall bear its own expenses for par- ticipating in the Council. SEC. 5. Further Agency Responsibilities. (a) The heads of all agencies shall consider using their authorities to further the policies set forth in section 1 of this order, with particular attention to: (i) the influence of any of their respective regula- tions, particularly any licensing regulations, on con- centration and competition in the industries under their jurisdiction; and (ii) the potential for their procurement or other spending to improve the competitiveness of small busi- nesses and businesses with fair labor practices. (b) The Attorney General, the Chair of the FTC, and the heads of other agencies with authority to enforce the Clayton Act are encouraged to enforce the anti- trust laws fairly and vigorously. (c) To address the consolidation of industry in many markets across the economy, as described in section 1 of this order, the Attorney General and the Chair of the FTC are encouraged to review the horizontal and vertical merger guidelines and consider whether to re- vise those guidelines. (d) To avoid the potential for anticompetitive exten- sion of market power beyond the scope of granted pat- ents, and to protect standard-setting processes from abuse, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Com- merce are encouraged to consider whether to revise their position on the intersection of the intellectual property and antitrust laws, including by considering whether to revise the Policy Statement on Remedies for Standards-Essential Patents Subject to Voluntary F/RAND Commitments issued jointly by the Depart- ment of Justice, the United States Patent and Trade- mark Office, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology on December 19, 2019. (e) To ensure Americans have choices among finan- cial institutions and to guard against excessive market power, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Re- serve System, the Chairperson of the Board of Direc- tors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Comptroller of the Currency, is encouraged to re- view current practices and adopt a plan, not later than 180 days after the date of this order, for the revitaliza- tion of merger oversight under the Bank Merger Act and the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (Public Law 84–511, 70 Stat. 133, 12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.) that is in ac- cordance with the factors enumerated in 12 U.S.C. 1828(c) and 1842(c). (f) To better protect workers from wage collusion, the Attorney General and the Chair of the FTC are encour- aged to consider whether to revise the Antitrust Guid- ance for Human Resource Professionals of October 2016. (g) To address agreements that may unduly limit workers’ ability to change jobs, the Chair of the FTC is encouraged to consider working with the rest of the Commission to exercise the FTC’s statutory rule- making authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act to curtail the unfair use of non-compete clauses and other clauses or agreements that may unfairly limit worker mobility. (h) To address persistent and recurrent practices that inhibit competition, the Chair of the FTC, in the Chair’s discretion, is also encouraged to consider work- ing with the rest of the Commission to exercise the FTC’s statutory rulemaking authority, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, in areas such as: (i) unfair data collection and surveillance practices that may damage competition, consumer autonomy, and consumer privacy; (ii) unfair anticompetitive restrictions on third-party repair or self-repair of items, such as the restrictions imposed by powerful manufacturers that prevent farm- ers from repairing their own equipment; (iii) unfair anticompetitive conduct or agreements in the prescription drug industries, such as agreements to delay the market entry of generic drugs or biosimilars; (iv) unfair competition in major Internet market- places; (v) unfair occupational licensing restrictions; (vi) unfair tying practices or exclusionary practices in the brokerage or listing of real estate; and (vii) any other unfair industry-specific practices that substantially inhibit competition. (i) The Secretary of Agriculture shall: (i) to address the unfair treatment of farmers and im- prove conditions of competition in the markets for their products, consider initiating a rulemaking or rulemakings under the Packers and Stockyards Act to strengthen the Department of Agriculture’s regulations concerning unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or decep- tive practices and undue or unreasonable preferences, advantages, prejudices, or disadvantages, with the pur- pose of furthering the vigorous implementation of the law established by the Congress in 1921 and fortified by amendments. In such rulemaking or rulemakings, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consider, among other things: (A) providing clear rules that identify recurrent practices in the livestock, meat, and poultry indus- tries that are unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or de- ceptive and therefore violate the Packers and Stock- yards Act; (B) reinforcing the long-standing Department of Agriculture interpretation that it is unnecessary under the Packers and Stockyards Act to dem- onstrate industry-wide harm to establish a violation of the Act and that the ‘‘unfair, unjustly discrimina- tory, or deceptive’’ treatment of one farmer, the giv- ing to one farmer of an ‘‘undue or unreasonable pref- erence or advantage,’’ or the subjection of one farmer to an ‘‘undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvan- tage in any respect’’ violates the Act; (C) prohibiting unfair practices related to grower ranking systems—systems in which the poultry com- panies, contractors, or dealers exercise extraordinary control over numerous inputs that determine the amount farmers are paid and require farmers to as- sume the risk of factors outside their control, leaving them more economically vulnerable; (D) updating the appropriate definitions or set of criteria, or application thereof, for undue or unrea- sonable preferences, advantages, prejudices, or dis- advantages under the Packers and Stockyards Act; and (E) adopting, to the greatest extent possible and as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, ap- propriate anti-retaliation protections, so that farm- ers may assert their rights without fear of retribu- tion; (ii) to ensure consumers have accurate, transparent labels that enable them to choose products made in the United States, consider initiating a rulemaking to de- fine the conditions under which the labeling of meat products can bear voluntary statements indicating that the product is of United States origin, such as ‘‘Prod- uct of USA’’; (iii) to ensure that farmers have greater opportuni- ties to access markets and receive a fair return for their products, not later than 180 days after the date of this order, submit a report to the Chair of the White House Competition Council, with a plan to promote competition in the agricultural industries and to sup- port value-added agriculture and alternative food dis- tribution systems through such means as: (A) the creation or expansion of useful information for farmers, such as model contracts, to lower trans- action costs and help farmers negotiate fair deals; (B) measures to encourage improvements in trans- parency and standards so that consumers may choose Page 11 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 to purchase products that support fair treatment of farmers and agricultural workers and sustainable ag- ricultural practices; (C) measures to enhance price discovery, increase transparency, and improve the functioning of the cat- tle and other livestock markets; (D) enhanced tools, including any new legislative authorities needed, to protect whistleblowers, mon- itor agricultural markets, and enforce relevant laws; (E) any investments or other support that could bolster competition within highly concentrated agri- cultural markets; and (F) any other means that the Secretary of Agri- culture deems appropriate; (iv) to improve farmers’ and smaller food processors’ access to retail markets, not later than 300 days after the date of this order, in consultation with the Chair of the FTC, submit a report to the Chair of the White House Competition Council, on the effect of retail con- centration and retailers’ practices on the conditions of competition in the food industries, including any prac- tices that may violate the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Robinson-Patman Act (Public Law 74–692, 49 Stat. 1526, 15 U.S.C. 13 et seq.), or other relevant laws, and on grants, loans, and other support that may en- hance access to retail markets by local and regional food enterprises; and (v) to help ensure that the intellectual property sys- tem, while incentivizing innovation, does not also un- necessarily reduce competition in seed and other input markets beyond that reasonably contemplated by the Patent Act (see 35 U.S.C. 100 et seq. and 7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.), in consultation with the Under Secretary of Com- merce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, submit a report to the Chair of the White House Competition Council, enumerating and describing any relevant con- cerns of the Department of Agriculture and strategies for addressing those concerns across intellectual prop- erty, antitrust, and other relevant laws. (j) To protect the vibrancy of the American markets for beer, wine, and spirits, and to improve market ac- cess for smaller, independent, and new operations, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the At- torney General and the Chair of the FTC, not later than 120 days after the date of this order, shall submit a report to the Chair of the White House Competition Council, assessing the current market structure and conditions of competition, including an assessment of any threats to competition and barriers to new en- trants, including: (i) any unlawful trade practices in the beer, wine, and spirits markets, such as certain exclusionary, discrimi- natory, or anticompetitive distribution practices, that hinder smaller and independent businesses or new en- trants from distributing their products; (ii) patterns of consolidation in production, distribu- tion, or retail beer, wine, and spirits markets; and (iii) any unnecessary trade practice regulations of matters such as bottle sizes, permitting, or labeling that may unnecessarily inhibit competition by increas- ing costs without serving any public health, informa- tional, or tax purpose. (k) To follow up on the foregoing assessment, the Secretary of the Treasury, through the Administrator of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, shall, not later than 240 days after the date of this order, consider: (i) initiating a rulemaking to update the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s trade practice regula- tions; (ii) rescinding or revising any regulations of the beer, wine, and spirits industries that may unnecessarily in- hibit competition; and (iii) reducing any barriers that impede market access for smaller and independent brewers, winemakers, and distilleries. (l) To promote competition, lower prices, and a vi- brant and innovative telecommunications ecosystem, the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission is encouraged to work with the rest of the Commission, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to consider: (i) adopting through appropriate rulemaking ‘‘Net Neutrality’’ rules similar to those previously adopted under title II of the Communications Act of 1934 (Pub- lic Law 73–416, 48 Stat. 1064, 47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, in ‘‘Protecting and Promoting the Open internet,’’ 80 Fed.Reg. 19738 (Apr. 13, 2015); (ii) conducting future spectrum auctions under rules that are designed to help avoid excessive concentration of spectrum license holdings in the United States, so as to prevent spectrum stockpiling, warehousing of spec- trum by licensees, or the creation of barriers to entry, and to improve the conditions of competition in indus- tries that depend upon radio spectrum, including mo- bile communications and radio-based broadband serv- ices; (iii) providing support for the continued development and adoption of 5G Open Radio Access Network (O- RAN) protocols and software, continuing to attend meetings of voluntary and consensus-based standards development organizations, so as to promote or encour- age a fair and representative standard-setting process, and undertaking any other measures that might pro- mote increased openness, innovation, and competition in the markets for 5G equipment; (iv) prohibiting unjust or unreasonable early termi- nation fees for end-user communications contracts, en- abling consumers to more easily switch providers; (v) initiating a rulemaking that requires broadband service providers to display a broadband consumer label, such as that as described in the Public Notice of the Commission issued on April 4, 2016 (DA 16–357), so as to give consumers clear, concise, and accurate infor- mation regarding provider prices and fees, perform- ance, and network practices; (vi) initiating a rulemaking to require broadband service providers to regularly report broadband price and subscription rates to the Federal Communications Commission for the purpose of disseminating that in- formation to the public in a useful manner, to improve price transparency and market functioning; and (vii) initiating a rulemaking to prevent landlords and cable and Internet service providers from inhibiting tenants’ choices among providers. (m) The Secretary of Transportation shall: (i) to better protect consumers and improve competi- tion, and as appropriate and consistent with applicable law: (A) not later than 30 days after the date of this order, appoint or reappoint members of the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection to en- sure fair representation of consumers, State and local interests, airlines, and airports with respect to the evaluation of aviation consumer protection programs and convene a meeting of the Committee as soon as practicable; (B) promote enhanced transparency and consumer safeguards, as appropriate and consistent with appli- cable law, including through potential rulemaking, enforcement actions, or guidance documents, with the aims of: (1) enhancing consumer access to airline flight in- formation so that consumers can more easily find a broader set of available flights, including by new or lesser known airlines; and (2) ensuring that consumers are not exposed or subject to advertising, marketing, pricing, and charging of ancillary fees that may constitute an unfair or deceptive practice or an unfair method of competition; (C) not later than 45 days after the date of this order, submit a report to the Chair of the White House Competition Council, on the progress of the Department of Transportation’s investigatory and enforcement activities to address the failure of air- lines to provide timely refunds for flights cancelled as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic; Page 12 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 1 (D) not later than 45 days after the date of this order, publish for notice and comment a proposed rule requiring airlines to refund baggage fees when a passenger’s luggage is substantially delayed and other ancillary fees when passengers pay for a service that is not provided; (E) not later than 60 days after the date of this order, start development of proposed amendments to the Department of Transportation’s definitions of ‘‘unfair’’ and ‘‘deceptive’’ in 49 U.S.C. 41712; and (F) not later than 90 days after the date of this order, consider initiating a rulemaking to ensure that consumers have ancillary fee information, in- cluding ‘‘baggage fees,’’ ‘‘change fees,’’ and ‘‘cancella- tion fees,’’ at the time of ticket purchase; (ii) to provide consumers with more flight options at better prices and with improved service, and to extend opportunities for competition and market entry as the industry evolves: (A) not later than 30 days after the date of this order, convene a working group within the Depart- ment of Transportation to evaluate the effectiveness of existing commercial aviation programs, consumer protections, and rules of the Federal Aviation Admin- istration; (B) consult with the Attorney General regarding means of enhancing effective coordination between the Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation to ensure competition in air transpor- tation and the ability of new entrants to gain access; and (C) consider measures to support airport develop- ment and increased capacity and improve airport congestion management, gate access, implementa- tion of airport competition plans pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 47106(f), and ‘‘slot’’ administration; (iii) given the emergence of new aerospace-based transportation technologies, such as low-altitude un- manned aircraft system deliveries, advanced air mobil- ity, and high-altitude long endurance operations, that have great potential for American travelers and con- sumers, yet also the danger of early monopolization or new air traffic control problems, ensure that the De- partment of Transportation takes action with respect to these technologies to: (A) facilitate innovation that fosters United States market leadership and market entry to promote com- petition and economic opportunity and to resist mo- nopolization, while also ensuring safety, providing se- curity and privacy, protecting the environment, and promoting equity; and (B) provide vigilant oversight over market partici- pants. (n) To further competition in the rail industry and to provide accessible remedies for shippers, the Chair of the Surface Transportation Board (Chair) is encouraged to work with the rest of the Board to: (i) consider commencing or continuing a rulemaking to strengthen regulations pertaining to reciprocal switching agreements pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 11102(c), if the Chair determines such rulemaking to be in the pub- lic interest or necessary to provide competitive rail service; (ii) consider rulemakings pertaining to any other rel- evant matter of competitive access, including bottle- neck rates, interchange commitments, or other mat- ters, consistent with the policies set forth in section 1 of this order; (iii) to ensure that passenger rail service is not sub- ject to unwarranted delays and interruptions in service due to host railroads’ failure to comply with the re- quired preference for passenger rail, vigorously enforce new on-time performance requirements adopted pursu- ant to the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–423, 122 Stat. 4907) that will take effect on July 1, 2021, and further the work of the passenger rail working group formed to ensure that the Surface Transportation Board will fully meet its obli- gations; and (iv) in the process of determining whether a merger, acquisition, or other transaction involving rail carriers is consistent with the public interest under 49 U.S.C. 11323–25, consider a carrier’s fulfillment of its respon- sibilities under 49 U.S.C. 24308 (relating to Amtrak’s statutory rights). (o) The Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission is encouraged to work with the rest of the Commission to: (i) vigorously enforce the prohibition of unjust and unreasonable practices in the context of detention and demurrage pursuant to the Shipping Act, as clarified in ‘‘Interpretive Rule on Demurrage and Detention Under the Shipping Act,’’ 85 Fef. [sic] Reg. 29638 (May 18, 2020); (ii) request from the National Shipper Advisory Com- mittee recommendations for improving detention and demurrage practices and enforcement of related Ship- ping Act prohibitions; and (iii) consider further rulemaking to improve deten- tion and demurrage practices and enforcement of re- lated Shipping Act prohibitions. (p) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall: (i) to promote the wide availability of low-cost hear- ing aids, not later than 120 days after the date of this order, publish for notice and comment a proposed rule on over-the-counter hearing-aids, as called for by sec- tion 709 of the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–52, 131 Stat. 1005); (ii) support existing price transparency initiatives for hospitals, other providers, and insurers along with any new price transparency initiatives or changes made necessary by the No Surprises Act (Public Law 116–260, 134 Stat. 2758) or any other statutes; (iii) to ensure that Americans can choose health in- surance plans that meet their needs and compare plan offerings, implement standardized options in the na- tional Health Insurance Marketplace and any other ap- propriate mechanisms to improve competition and con- sumer choice; (iv) not later than 45 days after the date of this order, submit a report to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Director of the Domestic Policy Council and to the Chair of the White House Competi- tion Council, with a plan to continue the effort to com- bat excessive pricing of prescription drugs and enhance domestic pharmaceutical supply chains, to reduce the prices paid by the Federal Government for such drugs, and to address the recurrent problem of price gouging; (v) to lower the prices of and improve access to pre- scription drugs and biologics, continue to promote ge- neric drug and biosimilar competition, as contemplated by the Drug Competition Action Plan of 2017 and Bio- similar Action Plan of 2018 of the Food and Drug Ad- ministration (FDA), including by: (A) continuing to clarify and improve the approval framework for generic drugs and biosimilars to make generic drug and biosimilar approval more trans- parent, efficient, and predictable, including improv- ing and clarifying the standards for interchange- ability of biological products; (B) as authorized by the Advancing Education on Biosimilars Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–8, 135 Stat. 254, 42 U.S.C. 263–1), supporting biosimilar product adoption by providing effective educational materials and communications to improve understanding of biosimilar and interchangeable products among healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers; (C) to facilitate the development and approval of biosimilar and interchangeable products, continuing to update the FDA’s biologics regulations to clarify existing requirements and procedures related to the review and submission of Biologics License Applica- tions by advancing the ‘‘Biologics Regulation Mod- ernization’’ rulemaking (RIN 0910–AI14); and (D) with the Chair of the FTC, identifying and ad- dressing any efforts to impede generic drug and bio- similar competition, including but not limited to false, misleading, or otherwise deceptive statements about generic drug and biosimilar products and their safety or effectiveness; (vi) to help ensure that the patent system, while incentivizing innovation, does not also unjustifiably Page 13 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 2 delay generic drug and biosimilar competition beyond that reasonably contemplated by applicable law, not later than 45 days after the date of this order, through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, write a letter to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office enumerating and describing any rel- evant concerns of the FDA; (vii) to support the market entry of lower-cost ge- neric drugs and biosimilars, continue the implementa- tion of the law widely known as the CREATES Act of 2019 (Public Law 116–94, 133 Stat. 3130), by: (A) promptly issuing Covered Product Authoriza- tions (CPAs) to assist product developers with obtain- ing brand-drug samples; and (B) issuing guidance to provide additional informa- tion for industry about CPAs; and (viii) through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, prepare for Medicare and Medicaid coverage of interchangeable biological products, and for payment models to support increased utilization of generic drugs and biosimilars. (q) To reduce the cost of covered products to the American consumer without imposing additional risk to public health and safety, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs shall work with States and Indian Tribes that propose to develop section 804 Importation Pro- grams in accordance with the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–173, 117 Stat. 2066), and the FDA’s im- plementing regulations. (r) The Secretary of Commerce shall: (i) acting through the Director of the National Insti- tute of Standards and Technology (NIST), consider ini- tiating a rulemaking to require agencies to report to NIST, on an annual basis, their contractors’ utilization activities, as reported to the agencies under 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(5); (ii) acting through the Director of NIST, consistent with the policies set forth in section 1 of this order, consider not finalizing any provisions on march-in rights and product pricing in the proposed rule ‘‘Rights to Federally Funded Inventions and Licensing of Gov- ernment Owned Inventions,’’ 86 Fed. Reg. 35 (Jan. 4, 2021); and (iii) not later than 1 year after the date of this order, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, conduct a study, including by conducting an open and trans- parent stakeholder consultation process, of the mobile application ecosystem, and submit a report to the Chair of the White House Competition Council, regard- ing findings and recommendations for improving com- petition, reducing barriers to entry, and maximizing user benefit with respect to the ecosystem. (s) The Secretary of Defense shall: (i) ensure that the Department of Defense’s assess- ment of the economic forces and structures shaping the capacity of the national security innovation base pur- suant to section 889(a) and (b) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283, 134 Stat. 3388) is consistent with the policy set forth in section 1 of this order; (ii) not later than 180 days after the date of this order, submit to the Chair of the White House Competi- tion Council, a review of the state of competition with- in the defense industrial base, including areas where a lack of competition may be of concern and any rec- ommendations for improving the solicitation process, consistent with the goal of the Competition in Con- tracting Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–369, 98 Stat. 1175); and (iii) not later than 180 days after the date of this order, submit a report to the Chair of the White House Competition Council, on a plan for avoiding contract terms in procurement agreements that make it chal- lenging or impossible for the Department of Defense or service members to repair their own equipment, par- ticularly in the field. (t) The Director of the Consumer Financial Protec- tion Bureau, consistent with the pro-competition ob- jectives stated in section 1021 of the Dodd-Frank Act [12 U.S.C. 5511], is encouraged to consider: (i) commencing or continuing a rulemaking under section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act [12 U.S.C. 5533] to facilitate the portability of consumer financial trans- action data so consumers can more easily switch finan- cial institutions and use new, innovative financial products; and (ii) enforcing the prohibition on unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices in consumer financial prod- ucts or services pursuant to section 1031 of the Dodd- Frank Act [12 U.S.C. 5531] so as to ensure that actors engaged in unlawful activities do not distort the proper functioning of the competitive process or obtain an un- fair advantage over competitors who follow the law. (u) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, through the Administrator of the Office of In- formation and Regulatory Affairs, shall incorporate into its recommendations for modernizing and improv- ing regulatory review required by my Memorandum of January 20, 2021 (Modernizing Regulatory Review) [86 F.R. 7223], the policies set forth in section 1 of this order, including consideration of whether the effects on competition and the potential for creation of barriers to entry should be included in regulatory impact anal- yses. (v) The Secretary of the Treasury shall: (i) direct the Office of Economic Policy, in consulta- tion with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Labor, and the Chair of the FTC, to submit a report to the Chair of the White House Competition Council, not later than 180 days after the date of this order, on the effects of lack of competition on labor markets; and (ii) submit a report to the Chair of the White House Competition Council, not later than 270 days after the date of this order, assessing the effects on competition of large technology firms’ and other non-bank compa- nies’ entry into consumer finance markets. SEC. 6. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be im- plemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (b) Where not already specified, independent agencies are encouraged to comply with the requirements of this order. (c) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive de- partment or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Man- agement and Budget relating to budgetary, administra- tive, or legislative proposals. (d) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforce- able at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. J.R. BIDEN, JR. § 2. Monopolizing trade a felony; penalty Every person who shall monopolize, or at- tempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other person or persons, to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not exceeding $100,000,000 if a corporation, or, if any other per- son, $1,000,000, or by imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or by both said punishments, in the dis- cretion of the court. (July 2, 1890, ch. 647, § 2, 26 Stat. 209; July 7, 1955, ch. 281, 69 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 93–528, § 3, Dec. 21, 1974, 88 Stat. 1708; Pub. L. 101–588, § 4(b), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2880; Pub. L. 108–237, title II, § 215(b), June 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 668.)