7 U.S.C. § 6010: Investigations and power to…

Summary

The Secretary can carry out investigations needed to run this law or to find out if someone broke the law or its rules. For these investigations, the Secretary can make people swear to tell the truth and can issue subpoenas to require relevant records from anywhere in the United States. For hearings under section 6008 or 6009, the hearing officer can also make people swear, call witnesses, force them to attend, take evidence, and require records 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 does business to make them comply. The court can order compliance and punish refusal as contempt. Legal papers can be served where the person lives, works, or is found, and hearings must be held in the federal district where the person lives or has their main business.

Title 7, §6010

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(a)In general

The Secretary may make such investigations as the Secretary determines necessary—

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

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

(b)Power to subpoena

(1)Investigations

For the purpose of an investigation made under subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations and to 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)Administrative hearings

For the purpose of an administrative hearing held under section 6008 or 6009 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)Aid of courts

In 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)Contempt

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

(e)Process

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)Hearing site

The site of any hearings held under section 6008 or 6009 of this title shall be within the judicial district where such person resides or has a principal place of business.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1991—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 102–237 struck out “section” after “6008 or”.

§6010 Investigations and Power to Subpoena

Summary

Title 7, §6010

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata