Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73

§7420 Investigations and power to subpoena

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 101— - AGRICULTURAL PROMOTION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - ISSUANCE OF ORDERS FOR PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION ACTIVITIES REGARDING AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES › § 7420

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can investigate when needed to run the program well or to check if someone is breaking or about to break its rules. To do that, the Secretary can make people swear to tell the truth, require witnesses to show up, collect evidence, and demand any records or documents that matter to the inquiry from anywhere in the United States. If someone refuses a subpoena, the Secretary can ask a federal court where the investigation is happening or where the person lives or works to order the person to appear or hand over records. If the person disobeys the court order, the court can punish them for contempt. Legal papers can be served where the person lives, works, or is found.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §7420

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 subchapter; or

(2)to determine whether any person subject to this subchapter has engaged, or is about to engage, in any action that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this subchapter or any order or regulation issued under this subchapter.

(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 or documents that are relevant to the inquiry. The attendance of witnesses and the production of records or documents 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 or documents. The court may issue an order requiring the person to appear before the Secretary to produce records or documents 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. § 7420

Title 7 — Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73