2012 U.S. Code
Title 7 - Agriculture
Chapter 10 - WAREHOUSES (§§ 241 - 256)
Section 241 - Definitions

In this chapter:

The term “agricultural product” means an agricultural commodity, as determined by the Secretary, including a processed product of an agricultural commodity.

The term “approval” means the consent provided by the Secretary for a person to engage in an activity authorized by this chapter.

The term “Department” means the Department of Agriculture.

The term “electronic document” means a document that is generated, sent, received, or stored by electronic, optical, or similar means, including electronic data interchange, electronic mail, telegram, telex, or telecopy.

The term “electronic receipt” means a receipt that is authorized by the Secretary to be issued or transmitted under this chapter in the form of an electronic document.

The term “holder” means a person that has possession in fact or by operation of law of a receipt or any electronic document.

The term “person” means—

(A) a person (as defined in section 1 of title 1);

(B) a State; and

(C) a political subdivision of a State.

The term “receipt” means a warehouse receipt issued in accordance with this chapter, including an electronic receipt.

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.

The term “warehouse” means a structure or other approved storage facility, as determined by the Secretary, in which any agricultural product may be stored or handled for the purposes of interstate or foreign commerce.

The term “warehouse operator” means a person that is lawfully engaged in the business of storing or handling agricultural products.

(Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, pt. C, §2, as added Pub. L. 106–472, title II, §201, Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2061.)

This chapter constitutes part C of “An act making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 13, 1917, and for other purposes,” approved Aug. 11, 1916. Part A of act of Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, containing the “United States Cotton Futures Act” formerly classified to chapter 13 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, was repealed by section 4 of act Feb. 10, 1939, ch. 2, 53 Stat. 1. Part B of that act contained the “United States Grain Standards Act” and constitutes section 71 et seq. of this title.

A prior section 241, act Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, pt. C, §1, 39 Stat. 486, set forth short title, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 106–472.

A prior section 2 of act Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, pt. C, was classified to section 242 of this title, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 106–472.

Act Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, pt. C, §1, as added by Pub. L. 106–472, title II, §201, Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2061, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘United States Warehouse Act’.”

Pub. L. 106–472, title II, §202, Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2068, provided that:

“(a) Proposed Regulations.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 9, 2000], the Secretary of Agriculture shall publish in the Federal Register proposed regulations for carrying out the amendment made by section 201 [enacting this chapter].

“(b) Final Regulations.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate final regulations for carrying out the amendment made by section 201.

“(c) Effectiveness of Existing Act.—The United States Warehouse Act (7 U.S.C. 241 et seq.) (as it existed before the amendment made by section 201) shall be effective until the earlier of—

“(1) the date on which final regulations are promulgated under subsection (b); or

“(2) August 1, 2001.”