---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7488"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7488"
heading: "Investigations and power to subpoena"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7488"
units:
  - "Chapter 101 — Agricultural Promotion"
  - "Subchapter V — Popcorn"
---

# §7488. Investigations and power to subpoena

- (a) **Investigations—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) may make such investigations as the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) considers necessary—
  - (1) for the effective administration of this subchapter; and
  - (2) to determine whether any [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8) subject to this subchapter has engaged, or is about to engage, in an act that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this subchapter or of an [order](/usc/7/7482.md?p=7) or regulation issued under this subchapter.
- (b) **Oaths, affirmations, and subpoenas—** For the purpose of an investigation under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) 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 records may be required from any place in the [United States](/usc/7/7482.md?p=16).
- (c) **Aid of courts—**
  - (1) **Request—** In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) may request the aid of any court of the [United States](/usc/7/7482.md?p=16) within the jurisdiction of which the investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where the [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8) resides or carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of the [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8) and the production of records.
  - (2) **Enforcement order of the court—** The court may issue an enforcement [order](/usc/7/7482.md?p=7) requiring the [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8) to appear before the [Secretary](/usc/7/7482.md?p=14) to produce records or to give testimony concerning the matter under investigation.
  - (3) **Contempt—** A failure to obey an enforcement [order](/usc/7/7482.md?p=7) of the court under [paragraph (2)](#c-2) may be punished by the court as a contempt of the court.
  - (4) **Process—** [Process](/usc/7/7482.md?p=10) in a case under this subsection may be served in the judicial district in which the [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8) resides or carries on business or wherever the [person](/usc/7/7482.md?p=8) may be found.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–127, title V, § 579, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1083.)