---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7420"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7420"
heading: "Investigations and power to subpoena"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7420"
units:
  - "Chapter 101 — Agricultural Promotion"
  - "Subchapter II — Issuance of Orders for Promotion, Research, and Information Activities Regarding Agricultural Commodities"
---

# §7420. Investigations and power to subpoena

- (a) **Investigations—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) may make such investigations as the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) considers necessary—
  - (1) for the effective administration of this subchapter; or
  - (2) to determine whether any [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) subject to this subchapter has engaged, or is about to engage, in any action that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this subchapter or any [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) or regulation issued under this subchapter.
- (b) **Subpoenas, oaths, and affirmations—** For the purpose of any investigation under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of any records or documents that are relevant to the inquiry. The attendance of witnesses and the production of records or documents may be required from any place in the [United States](/usc/7/7412.md?p=18).
- (c) **Aid of courts—** In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) may invoke the aid of any court of the [United States](/usc/7/7412.md?p=18) within the jurisdiction of which the investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where the [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) resides or carries on business, in [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) to require the attendance and testimony of the [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) or the production of records or documents. The court may issue an [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) requiring the [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) to appear before the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) to produce records or documents or to give testimony regarding the matter under investigation.
- (d) **Contempt—** Any failure to obey the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) 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/7/7412.md?p=10) resides or carries on business or wherever the [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) may be found.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–127, title V, § 521, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1047.)