Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73

§7108 Investigations and power to subpoena

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 99— - SHEEP PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION › § 7108

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can investigate to run the program or to check if someone has broken or will break its rules. The Secretary may swear witnesses, make people appear, take testimony, and demand records from anywhere in the United States. If someone refuses, the Secretary can ask a federal court in the area to force compliance; failing to follow the court’s order can be punished as contempt. Legal papers can be served where the person lives, works, or is found.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §7108

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 subject to this chapter has engaged, or is about to engage, in any action that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this chapter, or of any order or regulation issued under this chapter.

(b)For the purpose of any investigation under subsection (a), the Secretary may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The 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 the investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where the person resides or carries on business, in order to require the attendance and testimony of the person or the production of records. The court may issue an order requiring the person to appear before the Secretary to produce records or to give testimony regarding the matter under investigation.

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

(e)Process in any case under this section may be served in the judicial district in which the person resides or carries on business or wherever the person may be found.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 7108

Title 7 — Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73