---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 6991"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "6991"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/6991"
units:
  - "Chapter 98 — Department of Agriculture Reorganization"
  - "Subchapter VIII — National Appeals Division"
---

# §6991. Definitions


For purposes of this subchapter:

- (1) **Adverse decision—** The term “adverse decision” means an administrative decision made by an officer, employee, or committee of an [agency](#2) that is adverse to a [participant](#9). The term includes a denial of equitable relief by an [agency](#2) or the failure of an [agency](#2) to issue a decision or otherwise act on the request or right of the [participant](#9). The term does not include a decision over which the Board of Contract Appeals has jurisdiction.
- (2) **Agency—** The term “agency” means any agency of the [Department](/usc/7/6902.md?p=1) designated by the [Secretary](/usc/7/6902.md?p=3) or a successor agency of the [Department](/usc/7/6902.md?p=1), except that the term shall include the following (and any successor to the following):
  - (A) The Farm Service [Agency](#2) (or other office, [agency](#2), or administrative unit of the [Department](/usc/7/6902.md?p=1) assigned the [functions](/usc/7/6902.md?p=4) authorized for the Farm Service [Agency](#2) under [section 6932 of this title](/usc/7/6932.md)).
  - (B) The Commodity Credit Corporation, with respect to domestic programs.
  - (C) The Farmers Home Administration.
  - (D) The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
  - (E) The Rural Development Administration.
  - (F) The Natural Resources Conservation Service (or other office, [agency](#2), or administrative unit of the [Department](/usc/7/6902.md?p=1) assigned the [functions](/usc/7/6902.md?p=4) authorized for the Natural Resources Conservation Service under [section 6936(b) of this title](/usc/7/6936.md?p=b)).
  - (G) A [State](/usc/7/198.md?p=5), county, or area committee established under [section 590h(b)(5) of title 16](/usc/16/590h.md?p=b-5).
- (3) **Appellant—** The term “appellant” means a [participant](#9) who appeals an [adverse decision](#1) in accordance with this subchapter.
- (4) **Case record—** The term “case record” means all the materials maintained by the [Secretary](/usc/7/6902.md?p=3) related to an [adverse decision](#1).
- (5) **Director—** The term “Director” means the Director of the [Division](#6).
- (6) **Division—** The term “Division” means the [National Appeals Division](/usc/7/6902.md?p=2) established by this chapter.
- (7) **Hearing officer—** The term “hearing officer” means an individual employed by the [Division](#6) who hears and determines appeals of [adverse decisions](#1) by any [agency](#2).
- (8) **Implement—** The term “implement” refers to those actions necessary to effectuate fully and promptly a final determination of the [Division](#6) not later than 30 calendar days after the effective date of the final determination.
- (9) **Participant—** The term “participant” shall have the meaning given that term by the [Secretary](/usc/7/6902.md?p=3) by regulation.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–354, title II, § 271, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3228; Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, §§ 12404(b)(2), 12410(c)(2)(B), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4975, 4978.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This subchapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle H (§§ 271–283) of title II of Pub. L. 103–354, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3228, which enacted this subchapter, amended sections 2006 and 5101 to 5106 of this title and section 2202e of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and repealed sections 1433e and 1983b of this title.

This chapter, referred to in par. (6), was in the original “this title”, meaning title II of Pub. L. 103–354, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3209, known as the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6901 of this title and Tables.

### Amendments

2018—Par. (2)(A). Pub. L. 115–334, § 12404(b)(2), substituted “Farm” for “Consolidated Farm” in two places.

Par. (2)(F). Pub. L. 115–334, § 12410(c)(2)(B), substituted “section 6936(b) of this title” for “section 6962(b) of this title”.