§85. Suspension, revocation, and refusal to renew licenses; hearing; grounds; temporary suspension

The Secretary may refuse to renew, or may suspend or revoke, any license issued under this chapter whenever, after the licensee has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary shall determine that such licensee is incompetent, or has inspected or weighed or supervised the weighing of grain for purposes of this chapter, by any standard or criteria other than as provided for in this chapter, or has issued, or caused the issuance of, any false or incorrect official certificate or other official form, or has knowingly or carelessly inspected or weighed or supervised the weighing of grain improperly under this chapter, or has accepted any money or other consideration, directly or indirectly, for any neglect or improper performance of duty, or has used the license or allowed it to be used for any improper purpose, or has otherwise violated any provision of this chapter or of the regulations prescribed or instructions issued to the licensee by the Secretary under this chapter. The Secretary may, without first affording the licensee an opportunity for a hearing, suspend any license temporarily pending final determination whenever the Secretary deems such action to be in the best interests of the official inspection system under this chapter. The Secretary may summarily revoke any license whenever the licensee has been convicted of any offense prohibited by section 87b of this title or convicted of any offense proscribed by title 18, with respect to performance of functions under this chapter.

(Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, pt. B, §9, 39 Stat. 485 ; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 812, 70 Stat. 780 ; Pub. L. 90–487, §1, Aug. 15, 1968, 82 Stat. 765 ; Pub. L. 94–582, §11, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2879 ; Pub. L. 103–156, §12(h), Nov. 24, 1993, 107 Stat. 1528 ; Pub. L. 103–354, title II, §293(a)(7), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3237 .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994-Pub. L. 103–354 substituted "Secretary" for "Administrator" wherever appearing.

1993-Pub. L. 103–156, which directed amendment of "Section 9" by substituting "or has used the license" for "or has used his license" and "instructions issued to the licensee" for "instructions issued to him", without specifying the name of the Act being amended, was executed to this section, which is section 9 of the United States Grain Standards Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1976-Pub. L. 94–582 substituted "Administrator" for "Secretary" wherever appearing and "inspected or weighed or supervised the weighing of" for "inspected" in two places and authorized summary revocation of licenses based on conviction of prescribed offenses.

1968-Pub. L. 90–487 substituted provisions authorizing the suspension, revocation, and refusal of renewal of licenses by the Secretary, for provisions setting out the penalties for violations of this chapter.

1956-Act Aug. 1, 1956, provided penalties for persons who knowingly sample grain improperly and for persons who knowingly or willfully cause or attempt to cause the issuance of a false grade certificate by deceptive loading, handling, or sampling of grain, or any other means.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–582 effective 30 days after Oct. 21, 1976, see section 27 of Pub. L. 94–582, as amended, set out as a note under section 74 of this title.

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 90–487, see section 2 of Pub. L. 90–487, set out as a note under section 78 of this title.