7 U.S. Code § 2270 - Authority of Office of Inspector General

Any person who is employed in the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Agriculture, who conducts investigations of alleged or suspected felony criminal violations of statutes, including but not limited to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.], administered by the Secretary of Agriculture or any agency of the Department of Agriculture and who is designated by the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture may—

(1) make an arrest without a warrant for any such criminal felony violation if such violation is committed, or if such employee has probable cause to believe that such violation is being committed, in the presence of such employee;

(2) execute a warrant for an arrest, for the search of premises, or the seizure of evidence if such warrant is issued under authority of the United States upon probable cause to believe that such violation has been committed; and

(3) carry a firearm;

in accordance with rules issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, while such employee is engaged in the performance of official duties under the authority provided in section 406 of title 5, or described in section 9 [1] of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–452, 92 Stat. 1107). The Attorney General of the United States may disapprove any designation made by the Inspector General under this section.

(Pub. L. 97–98, title XIII, § 1337, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1294; Pub. L. 110–234, title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(II), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1096, 1098; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(II), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1857, 1859; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(b)(23), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4345.)

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[1]  See References in Text note below.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 88–525, Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 703, which is classified generally to chapter 51 (§ 2011 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under 2011 of this title and Tables.

Section 9 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, referred to in text, is section 9 of Pub. L. 95–452, which was formerly set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and was repealed and reenacted as section 422 of Title 5 by Pub. L. 117–286, §§ 3(b), 7, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4252, 4361.

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “the authority provided in section 406 of title 5, or described in section 9 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–452, 92 Stat. 1107).” for “the authority provided in section 6, or described in section 9, of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 6, 9).” in concluding provisions.

2008—Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(II), substituted “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008” for “Food Stamp Act of 1977” in introductory provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.

Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(II) of Pub. L. 110–246 effective Oct. 1, 2008, see section 4407 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 1161 of Title 2, The Congress.

Effective Date

Section effective on such date as the Secretary of Agriculture may prescribe, taking into account the need for orderly implementation, see section 1338 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as an Effective Date of 1981 Amendment note under section 2012 of this title.