Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73

§6412 Investigations and power to subpoena

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 93— - PROCESSOR-FUNDED MILK PROMOTION PROGRAM › § 6412

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can investigate when needed to run this law or to find out if someone broke it or rules under it. During an investigation, the Secretary can make people swear to tell the truth and can issue official orders to get records or require people to appear. These orders can reach anyone or any records anywhere in the United States. For related administrative hearings, the hearing official has the same powers: swear witnesses, force them to attend, take evidence, and demand records from anywhere in the U.S. If someone refuses a subpoena, the Secretary can ask a federal court in the area or where the person lives or does business to make them comply. The court can order compliance, and not obeying that court order can be punished. Hearings must be held in the federal district where the person lives or has their main business.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §6412

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary may make such investigations as the Secretary considers necessary—

(1)for the effective administration of this chapter; or

(2)to determine whether any person has engaged or is engaging in any act that constitutes a violation of this chapter, or any order, rule, or regulation issued under this chapter.

(b)(1)For the purpose of an investigation under subsection (a), the Secretary may administer oaths and affirmations, and issue a subpoena to require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The production of any such records may be required from any place in the United States.

(2)For the purpose of an administrative hearing held under section 6410 or 6411 of this title, the presiding officer is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. Such attendance of witnesses and the production of any such records may be required from any place in the United States.

(c)In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any person, the Secretary may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which such investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where such person resides or carries on business, in order to enforce a subpoena issued by the Secretary under subsection (b). The court may issue an order requiring such person to comply with such a subpoena.

(d)Any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.

(e)Process in any such case may be served in the judicial district in which such person resides or conducts business or wherever such person may be found.

(f)The site of any hearings held under section 6410 or 6411 of this title shall be within the judicial district where such person resides or has a principal place of business.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 6412

Title 7 — Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73