7 USC CHAPTER 104, SUBCHAPTER III: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

From Title 7—AGRICULTURECHAPTER 104—PLANT PROTECTION

SUBCHAPTER III—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

§7751. Cooperation

(a) In general

The Secretary may cooperate with other Federal agencies or entities, States or political subdivisions of States, national governments, local governments of other nations, domestic or international organizations, domestic or international associations, and other persons to carry out this chapter.

(b) Responsibility

The individual or entity cooperating with the Secretary under subsection (a) shall be responsible for—

(1) the authority necessary to conduct the operations or take measures on all land and properties within the foreign country or State, other than those owned or controlled by the United States; and

(2) other facilities and means as the Secretary determines necessary.

(c) Transfer of biological control methods

The Secretary may transfer to a State, Federal agency, or other person biological control methods using biological control organisms against plant pests or noxious weeds.

(d) Cooperation in program administration

The Secretary may cooperate with State authorities or other persons in the administration of programs for the improvement of plants, plant products, and biological control organisms.

(e) Phytosanitary issues

The Secretary shall ensure that phytosanitary issues involving imports and exports are addressed based on sound science and consistent with applicable international agreements. To accomplish these goals, the Secretary may—

(1) conduct direct negotiations with plant health officials or other appropriate officials of other countries;

(2) provide technical assistance, training, and guidance to any country requesting such assistance in the development of agricultural health protection systems and import/export systems; and

(3) maintain plant health and quarantine expertise in other countries—

(A) to facilitate the establishment of phytosanitary systems and the resolution of phytosanitary issues;

(B) to assist those countries with agricultural health protection activities; and

(C) to provide general liaison on agricultural health issues with the plant health or other appropriate officials of the country.

(f) Transfer of cooperative agreement fund

(1) In general

A State may provide to a unit of local government in the State described in paragraph (2) any cost-sharing assistance or financing mechanism provided to the State under a cooperative agreement entered into under this Act between the Secretary and the State relating to the eradication, prevention, control, or suppression of plant pests.

(2) Requirements

To be eligible for assistance or financing under paragraph (1), a unit of local government shall be—

(A) engaged in any activity relating to the eradication, prevention, control, or suppression of the plant pest infestation covered under the cooperative agreement between the Secretary and the State; and

(B) capable of documenting each plant pest infestation eradication, prevention, control, or suppression activity generally carried out by—

(i) the Department of Agriculture; or

(ii) the State department of agriculture that has jurisdiction over the unit of local government.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §431, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 451; Pub. L. 110–234, title X, §10206, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1346; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title X, §10206, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2107.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original "this title", meaning title IV of Pub. L. 106–224, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 438, known as the Plant Protection Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title IV to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7701 of this title and Tables.

This Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), is Pub. L. 106–224, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 358, known as the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2000 Amendment note set out under section 1501 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–246, §10206, added subsec. (f).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to agricultural import and entry inspection activities under this chapter to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 231, 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§7752. Buildings, land, people, claims, and agreements

(a) In general

To the extent necessary to carry out this chapter, the Secretary may acquire and maintain all real or personal property for special purposes and employ any persons, make grants, and enter into any contracts, cooperative agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements.

(b) Tort claims

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may pay tort claims in the manner authorized in the first paragraph of section 2672 of title 28, when the claims arise outside the United States in connection with activities that are authorized under this chapter.

(2) Requirements of claim

A claim may not be allowed under this subsection unless the claim is presented in writing to the Secretary within 2 years after the date on which the claim accrues.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §432, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 452.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(1), was in the original "this title", meaning title IV of Pub. L. 106–224, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 438, known as the Plant Protection Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title IV to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7701 of this title and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

§7753. Reimbursable agreements

(a) Authority to enter into agreements

The Secretary may enter into reimbursable fee agreements with persons for preclearance of plants, plant products, biological control organisms, and articles at locations outside the United States for movement into the United States.

(b) Funds collected for preclearance

Funds collected for preclearance shall be credited to accounts which may be established by the Secretary for this purpose and shall remain available until expended for the preclearance activities without fiscal year limitation.

(c) Payment of employees

(1) In general

Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary may pay employees of the Department of Agriculture performing services relating to imports into and exports from the United States, for all overtime, night, or holiday work performed by them, at rates of pay established by the Secretary.

(2) Reimbursement of the Secretary

(A) In general

The Secretary may require persons for whom the services are performed to reimburse the Secretary for any sums of money paid by the Secretary for the services.

(B) Use of funds

All funds collected under this paragraph shall be credited to the account that incurs the costs and shall remain available until expended without fiscal year limitation.

(d) Late payment penalties

(1) Collection

Upon failure to reimburse the Secretary in accordance with this section, the Secretary may assess a late payment penalty, and the overdue funds shall accrue interest, as required by section 3717 of title 31.

(2) Use of funds

Any late payment penalty and any accrued interest shall be credited to the account that incurs the costs and shall remain available until expended without fiscal year limitation.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §433, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 452.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

§7754. Regulations and orders

The Secretary may issue such regulations and orders as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this chapter.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §434, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 453.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title IV of Pub. L. 106–224, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 438, known as the Plant Protection Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title IV to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7701 of this title and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

§7755. Protection for mail handlers

This chapter shall not apply to any employee of the United States in the performance of the duties of the employee in handling the mail.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §435, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 453.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

§7756. Preemption

(a) Regulation of foreign commerce

No State or political subdivision of a State may regulate in foreign commerce any article, means of conveyance, plant, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, or plant product in order—

(1) to control a plant pest or noxious weed;

(2) to eradicate a plant pest or noxious weed; or

(3) prevent the introduction or dissemination of a biological control organism, plant pest, or noxious weed.

(b) Regulation of interstate commerce

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), no State or political subdivision of a State may regulate the movement in interstate commerce of any article, means of conveyance, plant, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, or plant product in order to control a plant pest or noxious weed, eradicate a plant pest or noxious weed, or prevent the introduction or dissemination of a biological control organism, plant pest, or noxious weed, if the Secretary has issued a regulation or order to prevent the dissemination of the biological control organism, plant pest, or noxious weed within the United States.

(2) Exceptions

(A) Regulations consistent with Federal regulations

A State or a political subdivision of a State may impose prohibitions or restrictions upon the movement in interstate commerce of articles, means of conveyance, plants, biological control organisms, plant pests, noxious weeds, or plant products that are consistent with and do not exceed the regulations or orders issued by the Secretary.

(B) Special need

A State or political subdivision of a State may impose prohibitions or restrictions upon the movement in interstate commerce of articles, means of conveyance, plants, plant products, biological control organisms, plant pests, or noxious weeds that are in addition to the prohibitions or restrictions imposed by the Secretary, if the State or political subdivision of a State demonstrates to the Secretary and the Secretary finds that there is a special need for additional prohibitions or restrictions based on sound scientific data or a thorough risk assessment.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §436, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 453.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

§7757. Severability

If any provision of this chapter or application of any provision of this chapter to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of this chapter and the application of the provision to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected by the invalidity.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §437, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 454.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

§7758. Repeal of superseded laws

(a), (b) Omitted

(c) Effect on regulations

Regulations issued under the authority of a provision of law repealed by subsection (a) ¹ shall remain in effect until such time as the Secretary issues a regulation under section 7754 of this title that supersedes the earlier regulation.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §438, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 454.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of section 438 of Pub. L. 106–224. Subsec. (a) of section 438 of Pub. L. 106–224 amended section 7759 of this title and repealed sections 148, 148a, 148c to 148f, 149, 150, 150a to 150g, 150aa to 150jj, 151 to 154, 156 to 164, 164a, 167, 1651 to 1656, and 2801 to 2813 of this title, and provisions set out as notes under sections 147a, 150, 150aa, 151, and 1651 of this title. Subsec. (b) of section 438 amended section 129a of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

¹ See Codification note below.

§7759. Fees for inspection of plants for exporting or transiting

(a) to (e) Repealed. Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §438(a)(3), June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 454

(f) Authorization of appropriations; fees, late payment penalties, and accrued interest

(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Unless otherwise specifically authorized or provided for in appropriations Acts, no part of such sums shall be used to pay the cost or value of property injured or destroyed.

(2) The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prescribe and collect fees to recover the costs of providing for the inspection of plants and plant products offered for export or transiting the United States and certifying to shippers and interested parties as to the freedom of such plants and plant products from plant pests according to the phytosanitary requirements of the foreign countries to which such plants and plant products may be exported, or to the freedom from exposure to plant pests while in transit through the United States. Any person for whom such an activity is performed shall be liable for payment of fees assessed. Upon failure to pay such fees when due, the Secretary of Agriculture shall assess a late payment penalty, and such overdue fees shall accrue interest, as required by section 3717 of title 31. All fees, late payment penalties, and accrued interest collected shall be credited to such accounts that incur the costs and shall remain available until expended without fiscal year limitation. The Secretary of Agriculture shall have a lien for the fees, any late payment penalty, and any accrued interest assessed against the plant or plant product for which services have been provided. In the case of any person who fails to make payment when due, the Secretary of Agriculture shall also have a lien against any plant or plant product thereafter attempted to be exported by such person. The Secretary of Agriculture may, in case of nonpayment of the fees, late payment penalty, or accrued interest, after giving reasonable notice of default to the person liable for payment of such assessments, sell at public sale after reasonable public notice, or otherwise dispose of, any such plant or plant product upon which the Secretary of Agriculture has a lien pursuant to this section. If the sale proceeds exceed the fees due, any late payment penalty assessed, any accrued interest and the expenses of the sale, the excess shall be paid, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, to the owner of the plant or plant product sold upon the owner making application therefore with proof of ownership, within six months after such sale, and otherwise the excess shall be credited to accounts that incur the costs and shall remain available until expended. The Secretary of Agriculture shall, pursuant to regulations as prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture, suspend performance of services to persons who have failed to pay such fees, late payment penalty and accrued interest.

(Sept. 21, 1944, ch. 412, title I, §102, 58 Stat. 735; June 17, 1949, ch. 220, 63 Stat. 200; Pub. L. 85–36, title II, §201, May 23, 1957, 71 Stat. 35; Pub. L. 94–231, §1, Mar. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 215; Pub. L. 101–624, title XXV, §§2504, 2509(b), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4068, 4070; Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §438(a)(3), June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 454.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 147a of this title.

Section was not enacted as part of the Plant Protection Act which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2000—Subsecs. (a) to (e). Pub. L. 106–224 struck out subsecs. (a) to (e), which authorized measures for control and eradication of plant pests, set forth provisions relating to intergovernmental cooperation and responsibility of cooperating foreign agencies, defined terms as used in this section, and authorized rules and regulations to provide for inspection and certification of plants and plant products offered for export or transiting the United States.

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–624, §2504, substituted "foreign countries" for "all countries of the Western Hemisphere" and inserted "foreign or" before "international".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–624, §2509(b), amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (f) read as follows: "There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as the Congress may annually determine to be necessary to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the provisions of this section. Unless otherwise specifically authorized, or provided for in appropriations, no part of such sums shall be used to pay the cost or value of property injured or destroyed."

1976—Subsecs. (a) to (d). Pub. L. 94–231 redesignated existing provisions of subsec. (a) as subsecs. (a) to (d) and broadened Secretary's authority to control and eradicate plant pests and animal diseases, extended Secretary's authority to cooperate with foreign governments, and inserted definitions for "plant pest" and "living stage". Former subsecs. (b) and (c) redesignated (e) and (f), respectively.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94–231 redesignated subsec. (b) as (e) and made discretionary the Secretary's authority to provide phytosanitary inspection and certification service for domestic plants and plant products offered for export or transit in the United States.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 94–231 redesignated subsec. (c) as (f) and substituted provisions authorizing appropriations on a Congressional finding of necessity made "annually" for provisions authorizing appropriations on a Congressional finding of necessity made "from time to time".

1957—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 85–36 inserted "insect pests, plant diseases, and nematodes, such as imported fire ant, soybean cyst nematode, witchweed, spotted alfalfa aphid," after "or to prevent or retard the spread of".

1949—Subsec. (a). Act June 17, 1949, authorized the Secretary to carry out operations to combat the citrus blackfly, white-fringed beetle, and the Hall scale.

§7760. State terminal inspection; transmission of mailed packages for State inspection; nonmailable matter; punishment for violations; rules and regulations by United States Postal Service

When any State shall provide for terminal inspection of plants and plant products, and shall establish and maintain, at the sole expense of the State, such inspection at one or more places therein, the proper officials of said State may submit to the Secretary of Agriculture a list of plants and plant products and the plant pests transmitted thereby, that in the opinion of said officials should be subject to terminal inspection in order to prevent the introduction or dissemination in said State of pests injurious to agriculture. Upon his approval of said list, in whole or in part, the Secretary of Agriculture shall transmit the same to the United States Postal Service, and thereafter all packages containing any plants or plant products named in said approved lists shall, upon payment of postage therefor, be forwarded by the postmaster at the destination of said package to the proper State official at the nearest place where inspection is maintained. If the plants or plant products (including seed) are found upon inspection to be free from injurious pests and not in violation of a plant-quarantine law or plant-quarantine regulation of the United States Department of Agriculture or of the State of destination pertaining to such injurious pests, or if infected shall be disinfected by said official, they shall upon payment of postage therefor be returned to the postmaster at the place of inspection to be forward ¹ to the person to whom they are addressed; but if found to be infected with injurious pests and incapable of satisfactory disinfection or in violation of a plant-quarantine law or plant-quarantine regulation of the United States Department of Agriculture or of the State of destination pertaining to such injurious pests, the State inspector shall so notify the postmaster at the place of inspection who shall promptly notify the sender of said plants or plant products that they will be returned to him upon his request and at his expense, or in default of such request that they will be turned over to the State authorities for destruction.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to deposit in the United States mails any package containing any plant or plant product addressed to any place within a State maintaining inspection thereof, as herein defined, without plainly marking the package so that its contents may be readily ascertained by an inspection of the outside thereof. Whoever shall fail to so mark said packages shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.

The United States Postal Service is authorized and directed to make all needful rules and regulations for carrying out the purposes hereof.

(Mar. 4, 1915, ch. 144, 38 Stat. 1113; June 4, 1936, ch. 495, 49 Stat. 1461; Pub. L. 91–375, §4(a), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 773.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 166 of this title.

Section was enacted as part of the Agricultural Appropriation Act, 1916, and not as part of the Plant Protection Act which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

1936—Act June 4, 1936, amended last sentence of first par. by changing introductory word "plant" to "plants", inserting "(including seed)", "and not in violation of a plant-quarantine law or plant-quarantine regulation of the United States Department of Agriculture or of the State of destination pertaining to such injurious pests", "or in violation of a plant-quarantine law or plant-quarantine regulation of the United States Department of Agriculture or of the State of destination pertaining to such injurious pests," and striking out the comma after "place of inspection".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

This section is popularly known as the "Terminal Inspection Act."

Transfer of Functions

In first and third pars., "United States Postal Service" substituted for "Postmaster General" pursuant to Pub. L. 91–375, §4(a), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 773, set out as a note under section 201 of Title 39, Postal Service, which abolished office of Postmaster General of Post Office Department and transferred its functions to United States Postal Service.

Functions of all officers, agencies, and employees of Department of Agriculture transferred, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of Agriculture by 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 2, §1, eff. June 4, 1953, 18 F.R. 3219, 67 Stat. 633, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.

¹ So in original.

§7761. Repealed. Pub. L. 113–79, title X, §10007(c), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 947

Section, Pub. L. 110–234, title X, §10202, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1342; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title X, §10202, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2104; Pub. L. 112–240, title VII, §701(g)(2), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2366, related to the National Clean Plant Network. See section 7721(e) of this title.