---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7449"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7449"
heading: "Investigations and power to subpoena"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7449"
units:
  - "Chapter 101 — Agricultural Promotion"
  - "Subchapter III — Canola and Rapeseed"
---

# §7449. 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; and
  - (2) to determine whether any [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) has engaged or is engaging in an act that constitutes a violation of this subchapter, or an [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9), rule, or regulation issued under this subchapter.
- (b) **Subpoenas, oaths, and affirmations—**
  - (1) **In general—** For the purpose of an investigation under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, take evidence, and issue subpoenas to require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The attendance of witnesses and the production of records may be required from any place in the [United States](/usc/7/7412.md?p=18).
  - (2) **Administrative hearings—** For the purpose of an administrative hearing held under section [7447](/usc/7/7447.md) or [7448](/usc/7/7448.md) of this title, the presiding officer is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena and 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 records 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 enforce a subpoena issued by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) under [subsection (b)](#b). The court may issue an [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) requiring the [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) to comply with the subpoena.
- (d) **Contempt—** A failure to obey an [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) of the court under this section may be punished by the court as contempt of the court.
- (e) **Process—** Process may be served on a [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) 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.
- (f) **Hearing site—** The site of a hearing held under section [7447](/usc/7/7447.md) or [7448](/usc/7/7448.md) of this title shall be in the judicial district where the [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) affected by the hearing resides or has a principal place of business.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–127, title V, § 540, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1062.)