Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73

§7808 Investigations and power to subpoena

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 105— - HASS AVOCADO PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION › § 7808

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can investigate when needed to run this program or to find out if someone broke the rules or orders under it. To do that, the Secretary can make people swear an oath, issue subpoenas, require witnesses to attend, take testimony, and demand any records that matter for the investigation from anywhere in the United States. For administrative hearings under sections 7806(a)(2) or 7807(c)(3), the hearing officer has the same powers. If someone refuses a subpoena, the Secretary can ask a federal court where the person lives or where the case is happening to make them comply. The court can order compliance, and not obeying that court order can be treated as contempt. Court papers can be served where the person lives, works, or is found.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §7808

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary may conduct such investigations as the Secretary considers necessary for the effective administration of this chapter, or to determine whether any person has engaged or is engaging in any act that constitutes a violation of this chapter or any order or regulation issued under this chapter.

(b)(1)For the purpose of conducting an 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 production of the records may be required from any place in the United States.

(2)For the purpose of an administrative hearing held under section 7806(a)(2) or 7807(c)(3) of this title, the presiding officer 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 the records may be required from any place in the United States.

(c)(1)In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued under subsection (b) 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 conducted, or where the person resides or conducts business, in order to enforce a subpoena issued under subsection (b).

(2)The court may issue an order requiring the person referred to in paragraph (1) to comply with a subpoena referred to in paragraph (1).

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

(4)Process in any proceeding under this subsection may be served in the United States judicial district in which the person being proceeded against resides or conducts business, or wherever the person may be found.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 7808

Title 7 — Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73