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Title 7, AgricultureRelease 119-110

§7807 Enforcement

Title 7 › CHAPTER 105 — HASS AVOCADO PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION › § 7807

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Federal district courts can order people to stop breaking the rules in this chapter and can enforce those rules. The Secretary can also handle violations. The Secretary may send a case to the Attorney General for action, but can instead use administrative steps or a written warning if that seems enough. The Secretary can fine someone $1,000 to $10,000 for each violation. If someone willfully fails to pay a required assessment, the Secretary can add an extra penalty equal to the assessment amount. Each violation is counted separately. The Secretary can also order a person to stop the violation. Before any fine or stop order, the person must get notice and a chance for a hearing in the federal district where they live or do business. A penalty or order is final unless the person appeals within 30 days by filing in the proper district court (or the District of Columbia) and sending a copy to the Secretary. The Secretary must file the case record in court. A court will only overturn the Secretary’s finding if there is not substantial evidence. If someone disobeys a final stop order, each day is a separate violation and can bring penalties (up to $10,000 per offense). If a final fine is not paid, the Secretary refers the matter to the Attorney General to collect, and the amount cannot be reargued in that collection suit. The remedies here do not replace other legal options.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §7807

Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Jurisdiction
A district court of the United States shall have jurisdiction to enforce, and to prevent and restrain any person from violating, this chapter or an order or regulation issued by the Secretary under this chapter.
(b)Referral to Attorney General
A civil action brought under subsection (a) shall be referred to the Attorney General for appropriate action, except that the Secretary is not required to refer to the Attorney General a violation of this chapter, or an order or regulation issued under this chapter, if the Secretary believes that the administration and enforcement of this chapter would be adequately served by administrative action under subsection (c) or suitable written notice or warning to the person who committed or is committing the violation.
(c)Civil penalties and orders
(1)Civil penalties
(A)In general
A person who violates a provision of this chapter, or an order or regulation issued by the Secretary under this chapter, or who fails or refuses to pay, collect, or remit any assessment or fee required of the person under an order or regulation issued under this chapter, may be assessed by the Secretary—
(i)a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 for each violation; and
(ii)in the case of a willful failure to remit an assessment as required by an order or regulation, an additional penalty equal to the amount of the assessment.
(B)Separate offenses
Each violation shall be a separate offense.
(2)Cease and desist orders
In addition to or in lieu of a civil penalty under paragraph (1), the Secretary may issue an order requiring a person to cease and desist from continuing a violation of this chapter, or an order or regulation issued under this chapter.
(3)Notice and hearing
No penalty shall be assessed, or cease and desist order issued, by the Secretary under this subsection unless the Secretary gives the person against whom the penalty is assessed or the order is issued notice and opportunity for a hearing before the Secretary with respect to the violation. Any such hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 7808(b)(2) of this title and shall be held within the United States judicial district in which the residence or principal place of business of the person is located.
(4)Finality
The penalty assessed or cease and desist order issued under this subsection shall be final and conclusive unless the person against whom the penalty is assessed or the order is issued files an appeal with the appropriate district court of the United States in accordance with subsection (d).
(d)Review by district court
(1)Commencement of action
(A)In general
Any person against whom a violation is found and a civil penalty is assessed or a cease and desist order is issued under subsection (c) may obtain review of the penalty or order by, within the 30-day period beginning on the date the penalty is assessed or the order is issued—
(i)filing a notice of appeal in the district court of the United States for the district in which the person resides or conducts business, or in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia; and
(ii)sending a copy of the notice by certified mail to the Secretary.
(B)Copy of record
The Secretary shall promptly file in the court a certified copy of the record on which the Secretary found that the person had committed a violation.
(2)Standard of review
A finding of the Secretary shall be set aside under this subsection only if the finding is found to be unsupported by substantial evidence.
(e)Failure to obey an order
(1)In general
A person who fails to obey a cease and desist order issued under subsection (c) after the order has become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate United States district court had entered a final judgment in favor of the Secretary of not more than $10,000 for each offense, after opportunity for a hearing and for judicial review under the procedures specified in subsections (c) and (d).
(2)Separate violations
Each day during which the person fails to obey an order described in paragraph (1) shall be considered as a separate violation of the order.
(f)Failure to pay a penalty
(1)In general
If a person fails to pay a civil penalty assessed under subsection (c) or (e) after the penalty has become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate United States district court has entered final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the Secretary shall refer the matter to the Attorney General for recovery of the amount assessed in any United States district court in which the person resides or conducts business.
(2)Scope of review
In an action by the Attorney General under paragraph (1), the validity and appropriateness of a civil penalty shall not be subject to review.
(g)Additional remedies
The remedies provided in this chapter shall be in addition to, and not exclusive of, other remedies that may be available.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 7807

Title 7, Agriculture

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110