2017 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping
Subtitle IV - Regulation of Ocean Shipping
Part B - Actions to Address Foreign Practices
Chapter 421 - Regulations Affecting Shipping in Foreign Trade
Sec. 42104 - Information, witnesses, and evidence

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Citation 46 U.S.C. § 42104 (2017)
Section Name §42104. Information, witnesses, and evidence
Section Text

(a) Order To Supply Information.—In carrying out section 42101 of this title, the Federal Maritime Commission may order any person (including a common carrier, tramp operator, bulk operator, shipper, shippers' association, ocean transportation intermediary, or marine terminal operator, or an officer, receiver, trustee, lessee, agent, or employee thereof) to file with the Commission a report, answers to questions, documentary material, or other information the Commission considers necessary or appropriate. The Commission may require the response to any such order to be made under oath. The response shall be provided in the form and within the time specified by the Commission.

(b) Subpoenas and Discovery.—In carrying out section 42101 of this title, the Commission may—

(1) subpoena witnesses and evidence; and

(2) authorize a party to use depositions, written interrogatories, and discovery procedures that, to the extent practicable, conform to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.).


(c) Witness Fees.—Unless otherwise prohibited by law, and subject to funds being appropriated, a witness in a proceeding under section 42101 of this title is entitled to the same fees and mileage as in the courts of the United States.

(d) Penalties.—For failure to supply information ordered to be produced or compelled by subpoena under this section, the Commission may—

(1) after notice and opportunity for a hearing, suspend tariffs and service contracts of a common carrier or the common carrier's right to use tariffs of conferences and service contracts of agreements of which it is a member; or

(2) assess a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each day that the information is not provided.


(e) Enforcement.—If a person does not comply with an order or subpoena of the Commission under this section, the Commission may seek enforcement in a district court of the United States having jurisdiction over the parties. If, after hearing, the court determines that the order or subpoena was regularly made and duly issued, the court shall enforce the order or subpoena.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, §7, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1549.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
42104(a) 46 App.:876(f)(1)–(3). June 5, 1920, ch. 250, §19(f), (g); as added Pub. L. 101–595, title I, §103(2), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2979; Pub. L. 102–587, title VI, §6205(b)(2), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5094; Pub. L. 105–258, title III, §301, Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1915.
42104(b) 46 App.:876(g)(1), (2).
42104(c) 46 App.:876(g)(3).
42104(d) 46 App.:876(f)(4), (g)(4).
42104(e) 46 App.:876(g)(5).

In subsections (a) and (b), the words "In carrying out" are substituted for "In furtherance of the purposes of" and "In proceedings under" for clarity and consistency.

In subsection (b)(1), the words "subpoena witnesses and evidence" are substituted for "by subpoena compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, documents, and other evidence" for consistency in the revised title and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(2), the words "conform to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.)" are substituted for "are in conformity with the rules applicable in civil proceedings in the district courts of the United States" for clarity.

In subsection (d)(2), the penalties from 46 App. U.S.C. 876(f)(4) and (g)(4)(B) are combined because they are redundant.

In subsection (e), the words "by an appropriate injunction or other process, mandatory or otherwise" are omitted as unnecessary.

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 5, Title 46 - SHIPPING
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 46 - SHIPPING
Subtitle IV - Regulation of Ocean Shipping
Part B - Actions To Address Foreign Practices
CHAPTER 421 - REGULATIONS AFFECTING SHIPPING IN FOREIGN TRADE
Sec. 42104 - Information, witnesses, and evidence
Contains section 42104
Date 2017
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 12, 2018
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 104 Stat. 2979
106 Stat. 5094
112 Stat. 1915
120 Stat. 1549
Public Law References Public Law 101-595, Public Law 102-587, Public Law 105-258, Public Law 109-304
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