August 11, 1984
I have signed H.R. 559, the Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1984. This legislation makes several
important changes to the Federal law governing insider trading in securities. Most important, it
strengthens the penalties for violating Federal securities fraud law, which reflects my commitment
to enforcing all our country's laws -- both on Main Street and Wall Street.
The U.S. securities markets are the fairest in the world. Insider trading is the exception, not the
rule. Nevertheless, abuses by insiders and those who receive their tips erode investor confidence
in the securities markets. Public investors may be less willing to place their money at risk in
securities if they believe that other traders, unlawfully utilizing material nonpublic information,
have unfair advantages.
The legislation authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission to seek a new civil penalty
against persons who violate existing provisions of law in connection with certain purchases or
sales of securities. This bill also increases the maximum criminal penalty for any violation of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to $100,000, adds commodities law violations as the basis for
statutory disqualification under that act, and authorizes the Commission to remedy proxy and
tender offer violations administratively.
Note: As enacted, H.R. 559 is Public Law 98 - 376, approved August 10.