---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7486"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7486"
heading: "Petition and review"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7486"
units:
  - "Chapter 101 — Agricultural Promotion"
  - "Subchapter V — Popcorn"
---

# §7486. Petition and review

- (a) **Petition—**
  - (1) **In general—** A [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8) subject to an [order](/usc/7/7482.md?p=7) may file with the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) a petition—
    - (A) stating that the [order](/usc/7/7482.md?p=7), a provision of the [order](/usc/7/7482.md?p=7), or an obligation imposed in connection with the [order](/usc/7/7482.md?p=7) is not established in accordance with law; and
    - (B) requesting a modification of the [order](/usc/7/7482.md?p=7) or obligation or an exemption from the [order](/usc/7/7482.md?p=7) or obligation.
  - (2) **Statute of limitations—** A petition under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) concerning an obligation may be filed not later than 2 years after the date of imposition of the obligation.
  - (3) **Hearings—** The petitioner shall be given the opportunity for a hearing on a petition filed under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), in accordance with regulations issued by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14).
  - (4) **Ruling—** After a hearing under [paragraph (3)](#a-3), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) shall issue a ruling on the petition that is the subject of the hearing, which shall be final if the ruling is in accordance with applicable law.
- (b) **Review—**
  - (1) **Commencement of action—** The district court of the [United States](/usc/7/7482.md?p=16) for any district in which a [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8) who is a petitioner under [subsection (a)](#a) resides or carries on business shall have jurisdiction to review a ruling on the petition, if the [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8) files a complaint not later than 20 days after the date of issuance of the ruling under [subsection (a)(4)](#a-4).
  - (2) **Process—** Service of [process](/usc/7/7482.md?p=10) in a proceeding under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) may be made on the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) by delivering a copy of the complaint to the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14).
  - (3) **Remands—** If the court determines, under [paragraph (1)](#b-1), that a ruling issued under [subsection (a)(4)](#a-4) is not in accordance with applicable law, the court shall remand the matter to the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) with directions—
    - (A) to make such ruling as the court shall determine to be in accordance with law; or
    - (B) to take such further proceedings as, in the opinion of the court, the law requires.
- (c) **Enforcement—** The pendency of proceedings instituted under [subsection (a)](#a) may not impede, hinder, or delay the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) or the Attorney General from taking action under [section 7487 of this title](/usc/7/7487.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–127, title V, § 577, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1082.)