---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7469"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7469"
heading: "Investigations and power to subpoena"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7469"
units:
  - "Chapter 101 — Agricultural Promotion"
  - "Subchapter IV — Kiwifruit"
---

# §7469. Investigations and power to subpoena

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7462.md?p=14) may make such investigations as the [Secretary](/usc/7/7462.md?p=14) considers necessary—
  - (1) for the effective carrying out of the responsibilities of the [Secretary](/usc/7/7462.md?p=14) under this subchapter; or
  - (2) to determine whether a [person](/usc/7/7462.md?p=9) subject to this subchapter has engaged or is engaging in any act that constitutes a violation of this subchapter, or any [order](/usc/7/7462.md?p=8), rule, or regulation issued under this subchapter.
- (b) **Power to subpoena—**
  - (1) **Investigations—** For the purpose of an investigation made under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7462.md?p=14) may administer oaths and affirmations and may issue subpoenas to require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The production of any such records may be required from any place in the [United States](/usc/7/7462.md?p=15).
  - (2) **Administrative hearings—** For the purpose of an administrative hearing held under section [7467](/usc/7/7467.md) or [7468](/usc/7/7468.md) of this title, the presiding officer is authorized to 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/7/7462.md?p=15).
- (c) **Aid of courts—** In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena to, any [person](/usc/7/7462.md?p=9), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7462.md?p=14) may invoke the aid of any court of the [United States](/usc/7/7462.md?p=15) within the jurisdiction of which the investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where the [person](/usc/7/7462.md?p=9) resides or carries on business, to enforce a subpoena issued by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7462.md?p=14) under [subsection (b)](#b). The court may issue an [order](/usc/7/7462.md?p=8) requiring the [person](/usc/7/7462.md?p=9) to comply with the subpoena.
- (d) **Contempt—** Any failure to obey the [order](/usc/7/7462.md?p=8) of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of the court.
- (e) **Process—** Process in any such case may be served in the judicial district in which the [person](/usc/7/7462.md?p=9) resides or carries on business or wherever the [person](/usc/7/7462.md?p=9) may be found.
- (f) **Hearing site—** The site of any hearing held under section [7467](/usc/7/7467.md) or [7468](/usc/7/7468.md) of this title shall be in the judicial district where the [person](/usc/7/7462.md?p=9) affected by the hearing resides or has a principal place of business.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–127, title V, § 560, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1072.)