Us Code § 254 - Penalties for noncompliance
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 254 — Penalties for noncompliance, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 254. Penalties for noncompliance
If a person fails to comply with any requirement of this chapter (including regulations promulgated under this chapter), the Secretary may assess, on the record after an opportunity for a hearing, a civil penalty—
(1) of not more than $25,000 per violation, if an agricultural product is not involved in the violation; or
(2) of not more than 100 percent of the value of the agricultural product, if an agricultural product is involved in the violation.
(Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, pt. C, §15, as added Pub. L. 106–472, title II, §201, Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2068.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 254, act Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, pt. C, §13, 39 Stat. 488, prohibited discrimination by warehousemen, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 106–472. See section 247 of this title.
A prior section 15 of act Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, pt. C, was classified to section 256 of this title, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 106–472.
About This Section
7 U.S.C. § 254 is part of Title 7 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 7 U.S.C. § 254. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.