7 U.S.C. § 7806 — Petition and review

(a) Petition and hearing (1) Petition A person^* subject to an order^* may file a petition with the Secretary^*—(A) stating that the order, a provision of it, or an obligation connected with it is unlawful; and (B) asking to modify the order or to receive an exemption from it. (2) Hearing The petitioner must have an opportunity for a hearing on a petition under paragraph (1), under the Secretary’s regulations. The hearing must follow section 7808(b)(2) of this title and take place in the United States^* judicial district where the person lives or has its principal place of business. (3) Ruling After the hearing, the Secretary must rule on the petition. The ruling is final if it complies with the law. (4) Limitation A petition challenging an order, a provision, or an obligation connected with it must be filed within 2 years after the challenged order, provision, or obligation takes effect. (b) Review (1) Commencement of action A United States district court in any district where a petitioner under subsection (a) lives or conducts business has jurisdiction to review the Secretary’s ruling if the person files a complaint requesting review no later than 20 days after the Secretary enters the ruling. (2) Process Service of process in a proceeding under this subsection must follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (3) Remand If the court decides that the Secretary’s ruling is unlawful, it must send the matter back to the Secretary and direct the Secretary—(A) to make the ruling the court determines is lawful; or (B) to take whatever further action the court believes the law requires. (c) Enforcement While proceedings under this section are pending, they may not impede, hinder, or delay the Attorney General or the Secretary from obtaining relief under section 7807 of this title.