---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 6412"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "6412"
heading: "Investigations and power to subpoena"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/6412"
units:
  - "Chapter 93 — Processor-Funded Milk Promotion Program"
---

# §6412. Investigations and power to subpoena

- (a) **Investigations—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/6402.md?p=7) may make such investigations as the [Secretary](/usc/7/6402.md?p=7) considers necessary—
  - (1) for the effective administration of this chapter; or
  - (2) to determine whether any [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) has engaged or is engaging in any act that constitutes a violation of this chapter, or any order, rule, or regulation issued under this chapter.
- (b) **Subpoenas, oaths, and affirmations—**
  - (1) **In general—** For the purpose of an investigation under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/6402.md?p=7) may administer oaths and affirmations, and 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](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8).
  - (2) **Administrative hearings—** For the purpose of an administrative hearing held under section [6410](/usc/7/6410.md) or [6411](/usc/7/6411.md) 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](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8).
- (c) **Aid of courts—** In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1), the [Secretary](/usc/7/6402.md?p=7) may invoke the aid of any court of the [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8) within the jurisdiction of which such investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where such [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) resides or carries on business, in order to enforce a subpoena issued by the [Secretary](/usc/7/6402.md?p=7) under [subsection (b)](#b). The court may issue an order requiring such [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) 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](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) resides or conducts business or wherever such [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) may be found.
- (f) **Hearing site—** The site of any hearings held under section [6410](/usc/7/6410.md) or [6411](/usc/7/6411.md) of this title shall be within the judicial district where such [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) resides or has a principal place of business.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XIX, § 1999M, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3924.)