§ 2204g. — Authority of Secretary of Agriculture to conduct census of agriculture.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC2204g]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 55--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Sec. 2204g. Authority of Secretary of Agriculture to conduct
census of agriculture
(a) Census of agriculture required
In 1998 and every fifth year thereafter, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall take a census of agriculture.
(b) Methods
In connection with the census, the Secretary may conduct any survey
or other information collection, and employ any sampling or other
statistical method, that the Secretary determines is appropriate.
(c) Year of information
The information collected in each census taken under this section
shall relate to the year immediately preceding the year in which the
census is taken.
(d) Enforcement
(1) Fraud
A person over 18 years of age who willfully gives an answer that
is false to a question, which is authorized by the Secretary to be
submitted to the person in connection with a census under this
section, shall be fined not more than $500.
(2) Refusal or neglect to answer questions
A person over 18 years of age who refuses or willfully neglects
to answer a question, which is authorized by the Secretary to be
submitted to the person in connection with a census under this
section, shall be fined not more than $100.
(3) Social Security number
The failure or refusal of a person to disclose the person's
Social Security number in response to a request made in connection
with any census or other activity under this section shall not be a
violation under this subsection.
(4) Religious information
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no person
shall be compelled to disclose information relative to the religious
beliefs of the person or to membership of the person in a religious
body.
(e) Geographic coverage
A census under this section shall include--
(1) each of the several States of the United States;
(2) as determined appropriate by the Secretary, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and
Guam; and
(3) with the concurrence of the Secretary and the Secretary of
State, any other possession or area over which the United States
exercises jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty.
(f) Cooperation with Secretary of Commerce
(1) Information provided to Secretary of Agriculture
On a written request by the Secretary of Agriculture, the
Secretary of Commerce may provide to the Secretary of Agriculture
any information collected under title 13 that the Secretary of
Agriculture considers necessary for the taking of a census or survey
under this section.
(2) Information provided to Secretary of Commerce
On a written request by the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary
of Agriculture may provide to the Secretary of Commerce any
information collected in a census taken under this section that the
Secretary of Commerce considers necessary for the taking of a census
or survey under title 13.
(3) Confidentiality
Information obtained under this subsection may not be used for
any purpose other than the statistical purposes for which the
information is supplied. For purposes of sections 9 and 214 of title
13, any information provided under paragraph (2) shall be considered
information furnished under the provisions of title 13.
(g) Regulations
A regulation necessary to carry out this section may be promulgated
by--
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture, to the extent that a matter
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary is involved; and
(2) the Secretary of Commerce, to the extent that a matter under
the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce is involved.
(Pub. L. 105-113, Sec. 2, Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2274.)
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 2276 of this title.
