49 U.S.C. § 13508 — Limited authority over cooperative associations

(a) In general: Even though section 13506(a)(5) generally exempts co-op trucking from regulation, a cooperative association or federation of cooperatives must keep records about that trucking, in whatever form the Secretary or the Board requires by regulation. On showing proper ID, the Secretary, the Board, or their designated employee may (1) inspect the co-op's land, buildings, and equipment, and (2) inspect and copy its records. (b) Reports: The Secretary or Board may also require the co-op to file reports answering questions about its trucking. (c) Enforcement: The Secretary or Board can sue in civil court to enforce subsections (a) and (b), or any regulation or order issued under this section, against a co-op that violates them. (d) Reporting penalties: (1) A co-op, or its officer, agent, or employee, that doesn't file a required report, doesn't answer a question fully and truthfully, or doesn't keep records as required, owes the United States a civil penalty of up to $500 per violation, plus up to $250 for each additional day the violation continues. (2) A lawsuit over this must be filed in the district where the co-op has its main office, where the violation happened, or where the offender is found; papers can be served wherever the offender lives or is found. (e) Evasion penalties: Anyone who knowingly and willfully tries to dodge this section's requirements can be fined $200 to $500 for a first violation, and $250 to $2,000 for each later violation. (f) Recordkeeping penalties: A co-op, or its officer, agent, or employee, that willfully (1) fails to file a report, (2) fails to fully and truthfully answer a question within 30 days of being asked, (3) fails to keep records as required, (4) knowingly falsifies, destroys, mutilates, or alters a report or record, (5) knowingly files a false report or record, (6) knowingly makes a false or incomplete entry about a business fact, or (7) knowingly keeps a record in violation of a regulation or order — can be fined up to $5,000.