Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73
§1603 Procedural powers; witness fees and mileage
Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 37— - SEEDS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 1603
Summary
The Secretary of Agriculture, or a person the Secretary picks, can hold hearings, take oaths, issue subpoenas, question witnesses, take depositions, and require records and access to offices or warehouses. If someone refuses to show up, answer, hand over records, or allow access, a U.S. district court can order them to comply. Anyone called as a witness must be paid the same fees and travel money that federal courts pay. People taking depositions get the same pay too.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §1603
Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In carrying on the work herein authorized, the Secretary of Agriculture, or any officer or employee designated by him for such purpose, shall have power to hold hearings, administer oaths, sign and issue subpenas, examine witnesses, take depositions, and require the production of books, records, accounts, memoranda, and papers, and have access to office and warehouse premises. Upon refusal by any person to appear, testify, or produce pertinent books, records, accounts, memoranda, and papers in response to a subpena, or to permit access to premises, the proper United States district court shall have power to compel obedience thereto.
(b)Witnesses summoned before the Secretary or any officer or employee designated by him shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States, and witnesses whose depositions are taken and the persons taking the same shall severally be entitled to the same fees as are paid for like service in the courts of the United States.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 1603
Title 7 — Agriculture
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73