---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7108"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7108"
heading: "Investigations and power to subpoena"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7108"
units:
  - "Chapter 99 — Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information"
---

# §7108. Investigations and power to subpoena

- (a) **Investigations—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25) may make such investigations as the [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25) considers necessary—
  - (1) for the effective administration of this chapter; or
  - (2) to determine whether any [person](/usc/7/7102.md?p=16) subject to this chapter has engaged, or is about to engage, in any action that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this chapter, or of any [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) or regulation issued under this chapter.
- (b) **Subpoenas, oaths, and affirmations—** For the purpose of any investigation under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25) may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The attendance of witnesses and the production of any such records may be required from any place in the [United States](/usc/7/7102.md?p=30).
- (c) **Aid of courts—** In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any [person](/usc/7/7102.md?p=16), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25) may invoke the aid of any court of the [United States](/usc/7/7102.md?p=30) within the jurisdiction of which the investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where the [person](/usc/7/7102.md?p=16) resides or carries on business, in [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) to require the attendance and testimony of the [person](/usc/7/7102.md?p=16) or the production of records. The court may issue an [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) requiring the [person](/usc/7/7102.md?p=16) to appear before the [Secretary](/usc/7/7102.md?p=25) to produce records or to give testimony regarding the matter under investigation.
- (d) **Contempt—** Any failure to obey the [order](/usc/7/7102.md?p=15) of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of the court.
- (e) **Process—** Process in any case under this section may be served in the judicial district in which the [person](/usc/7/7102.md?p=16) resides or carries on business or wherever the [person](/usc/7/7102.md?p=16) may be found.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–407, § 9, Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4226.)