This bill, titled the CFTC Whistleblower Protection and Program Improvement Act of 2026, aims to enhance the effectiveness and integrity of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's whistleblower program. It significantly increases the cap for the CFTC Customer Protection Fund from $100 million to $300 million, ensuring more resources are available. Furthermore, it establishes a separate account within this fund specifically for customer education initiatives and to cover administrative and salary expenses for personnel managing the whistleblower program, with these funds available until expended. The legislation strengthens anti-retaliation protections for whistleblowers by broadening the scope of protected disclosures, including those made as part of job duties or to various government agencies and supervisory personnel. It explicitly prohibits actions like seeking to deny an award and grants whistleblowers the right to a jury trial , applying legal burdens of proof that favor the whistleblower. Successful retaliation claims could result in double back pay, reinforcing safeguards against employer reprisal. To ensure whistleblowers are aware of their rights, the bill mandates that the CFTC issue a rule requiring registered entities to provide comprehensive education and training to employees. This includes individual notices, website postings, and mandatory training sessions. Finally, the bill introduces critical provisions for the prompt payment of awards , establishing clear deadlines for the CFTC to make preliminary determinations and issue final orders on award claims, with provisions for extensions under specific circumstances and required notification to the whistleblower.