§2273 Ancillary provisions; subpena power; etc.

Summary

Gives the Farm Credit Administration and people it appoints the power to swear witnesses, take sworn statements, and issue, change, or cancel subpoenas for testimony or for documents. It can make rules for hearings, exams, and investigations. The agency can require witnesses and records to appear at the place of the proceeding from anywhere in any State or U.S. territory. To enforce a subpoena, the FCA or any party can go to the federal district court in the District of Columbia, or the district court where the proceeding is held or where the witness lives or works, and those courts must order compliance. Witnesses get the same fees and travel pay as federal district court witnesses. If a Farm Credit System institution or its director or officer brings a case, a court may award reasonable expenses and lawyer fees to that party, and those costs must be paid by the System institution from its assets. Anyone who willfully refuses to obey an FCA subpoena to attend, testify, answer lawful questions, or produce records can be charged with a misdemeanor and, if convicted, fined up to $1,000, jailed up to one year, or both.