---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7103"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7103"
heading: "Issuance and amendment of orders"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7103"
units:
  - "Chapter 99 — Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information"
---

# §7103. Issuance and amendment of orders

- (a) **In general—** Subject to [subsection (b)](#b), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25) shall issue [orders](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) under this chapter applicable to [producers](/usc/7/7102.md?p=18), [feeders](/usc/7/7102.md?p=10), [importers](/usc/7/7102.md?p=13), [handlers](/usc/7/7102.md?p=12), and purchasers of [sheep](/usc/7/7102.md?p=26) and [sheep products](/usc/7/7102.md?p=27). Any [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) shall be national in scope. Not more than 1 [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) shall be in effect under this chapter at any 1 time.
- (b) **Procedure—**
  - (1) **Proposal or request for issuance—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25) may propose the issuance of an [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) under this chapter, or an association of [producers](/usc/7/7102.md?p=18) may request the issuance of, and submit a proposal for, an [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15).
  - (2) **Notice and comment concerning proposed order—** Not later than 60 days after the receipt of a request and proposal for an [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) under [paragraph (1)](#b-1), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25) shall publish a proposed [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) and give due notice and opportunity for public comment on the proposed [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15).
  - (3) **Issuance of orders—** After notice and opportunity for public comment are given as provided in [paragraph (2)](#b-2), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25) shall issue an [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15), taking into consideration the comments received, that includes provisions necessary to ensure that the [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) is in conformity with this chapter. The [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) shall be issued not later than 180 days following publication of the proposed [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15).
  - (4) **Referendum—** The [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) shall go into effect only if the [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) is approved by [producers](/usc/7/7102.md?p=18), [feeders](/usc/7/7102.md?p=10), and [importers](/usc/7/7102.md?p=13) in a referendum conducted under [section 7105 of this title](/usc/7/7105.md).
- (c) **Amendments—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25), from time to time, may amend any [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) issued under this chapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–407, § 4, Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4213.)