--- kind: "section" citation: "7 U.S.C. § 1636b" title: "7" title_heading: "Agriculture" number: "1636b" heading: "Enforcement" release: "119-102" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/1636b" units: - "Chapter 38 — Distribution and Marketing of Agricultural Products" - "Subchapter II — Livestock Mandatory Reporting" - "Part E — Administration" --- # §1636b. Enforcement - (a) **Civil penalty—** - (1) **In general—** Any [packer](/usc/7/198.md?p=2) or other [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) that violates this subchapter may be assessed a civil penalty by the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) of not more than $10,000 for each violation. - (2) **Continuing violation—** Each day during which a violation continues shall be considered to be a separate violation. - (3) **Factors—** In determining the amount of a civil penalty to be assessed under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) shall consider the gravity of the offense, the size of the business involved, and the effect of the penalty on the ability of the [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) that has committed the violation to continue in business. - (4) **Multiple violations—** In determining whether to assess a civil penalty under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) shall consider whether a [packer](/usc/7/198.md?p=2) or other [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) subject to this subchapter has engaged in a pattern of errors, delays, or omissions in violation of this subchapter. - (b) **Cease and desist—** In addition to, or in lieu of, a civil penalty under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) may issue an [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) to cease and desist from continuing any violation. - (c) **Notice and hearing—** No penalty shall be assessed, or cease and desist [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) issued, by the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) under this section unless the [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) against which the penalty is assessed or to which the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) is issued is given notice and opportunity for a hearing before the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) with respect to the violation. - (d) **Finality and judicial review—** - (1) **In general—** The [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) of the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) assessing a civil penalty or issuing a cease and desist [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) under this section shall be final and conclusive unless the affected [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) files an appeal of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) of the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) in [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8) district court not later than 30 days after the date of the issuance of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10). - (2) **Standard of review—** A finding of the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) under this section shall be set aside only if the finding is found to be unsupported by substantial evidence. - (e) **Enforcement—** - (1) **In general—** If, after the lapse of the period allowed for appeal or after the affirmance of a penalty assessed under this section, the [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) against which the civil penalty is assessed fails to pay the penalty, the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) may refer the matter to the Attorney General who may recover the penalty by an action in [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8) district court. - (2) **Finality—** In the action, the final [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) of the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) shall not be subject to review. - (f) **Injunction or restraining order—** - (1) **In general—** If the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) has reason to believe that any [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) subject to this subchapter has failed or refused to provide the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) information required to be reported pursuant to this subchapter, and that it would be in the public interest to enjoin the [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) from further failure to comply with the reporting requirements, the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13) may notify the Attorney General of the failure. - (2) **Attorney General—** The Attorney General may apply to the appropriate district court of the [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8) for a temporary or permanent injunction or restraining [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10). - (3) **Court—** When needed to carry out this subchapter, the court shall, on a proper showing, issue a temporary injunction or restraining [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) without bond. - (g) **Failure to obey orders—** - (1) **In general—** If a [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) subject to this subchapter fails to obey a cease and desist or civil penalty [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) issued under this subsection after the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) has become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8) district court has entered a final judgment in favor of the [Secretary](/usc/7/1635a.md?p=13), the [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8) may apply to the appropriate district court for enforcement of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10). - (2) **Enforcement—** If the court determines that the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) was lawfully made and duly served and that the [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) violated the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10), the court shall enforce the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10). - (3) **Civil penalty—** If the court finds that the [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) violated the cease and desist provisions of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10), the [person](/usc/7/1471g.md?p=b-1) shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each offense. ## Source credit (Aug. 14, 1946, ch. 966, title II, § 253, as added Pub. L. 106–78, title IX, § 911(2), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1202.)