21 USC 379 - Authority to collect and use fees

View all text of Subpart 6 [§ 379j-31 - § 379j-31]

§ 379j–31. Authority to collect and use fees

(a) In general

(1) Purpose and authorityFor fiscal year 2010 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall, in accordance with this section, assess and collect fees from—

(A) the responsible party for each domestic facility (as defined in section 350d(b) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of this title) and the United States agent for each foreign facility subject to a reinspection in such fiscal year, to cover reinspection-related costs for such year;

(B) the responsible party for a domestic facility (as defined in section 350d(b) 1 of this title) and an importer who does not comply with a recall order under section 350l of this title or under section 350a(f) of this title in such fiscal year, to cover food recall activities associated with such order performed by the Secretary, including technical assistance, follow-up effectiveness checks, and public notifications, for such year;

(C) each importer participating in the voluntary qualified importer program under section 384b of this title in such year, to cover the administrative costs of such program for such year; and

(D) each importer subject to a reinspection in such fiscal year, to cover reinspection-related costs for such year.

(2) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—

(A) the term “reinspection” means—

(i) with respect to domestic facilities (as defined in section 350d(b) 1 of this title), 1 or more inspections conducted under section 374 of this title subsequent to an inspection conducted under such provision which identified noncompliance materially related to a food safety requirement of this chapter, specifically to determine whether compliance has been achieved to the Secretary’s satisfaction; and

(ii) with respect to importers, 1 or more examinations conducted under section 381 of this title subsequent to an examination conducted under such provision which identified noncompliance materially related to a food safety requirement of this chapter, specifically to determine whether compliance has been achieved to the Secretary’s satisfaction;

(B) the term “reinspection-related costs” means all expenses, including administrative expenses, incurred in connection with—

(i) arranging, conducting, and evaluating the results of reinspections; and

(ii) assessing and collecting reinspection fees under this section; and

(b) Establishment of fees

(1) In general

(2) Fee methodology

(A) FeesFees amounts established for collection—

(i) under subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(1) for a fiscal year shall be based on the Secretary’s estimate of 100 percent of the costs of the reinspection-related activities (including by type or level of reinspection activity, as the Secretary determines applicable) described in such subparagraph (A) for such year;

(ii) under subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(1) for a fiscal year shall be based on the Secretary’s estimate of 100 percent of the costs of the activities described in such subparagraph (B) for such year;

(iii) under subparagraph (C) of subsection (a)(1) for a fiscal year shall be based on the Secretary’s estimate of 100 percent of the costs of the activities described in such subparagraph (C) for such year; and

(iv) under subparagraph (D) of subsection (a)(1) for a fiscal year shall be based on the Secretary’s estimate of 100 percent of the costs of the activities described in such subparagraph (D) for such year.

(B) Other considerations

(i) Voluntary qualified importer program

(II)2

2 So in original. No subcl. (I) has been enacted.

Recoupment

(ii) Crediting of fees

(iii) Published guidelinesNot later than 180 days after January 4, 2011, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a proposed set of guidelines in consideration of the burden of fee amounts on small business. Such consideration may include reduced fee amounts for small businesses. The Secretary shall provide for a period of public comment on such guidelines. The Secretary shall adjust the fee schedule for small businesses subject to such fees only through notice and comment rulemaking.

(3) Use of fees

(1) In general

(2) AuthorityIf—

(A) the Secretary does not assess fees under subsection (a) for a portion of a fiscal year because paragraph (1) applies; and

(B) at a later date in such fiscal year, such paragraph (1) ceases to apply,

the Secretary may assess and collect such fees under subsection (a), without any modification to the rate of such fees, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) relating to the date fees are to be paid.

(3) Adjustment factor

(A) In general

(B) Compounded basis

(4) Limitation on amount of certain fees

(A) In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this section and subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may not collect fees in a fiscal year such that the amount collected—

(i) under subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(1) exceeds $20,000,000; and

(ii) under subparagraphs (A) and (D) of subsection (a)(1) exceeds $25,000,000 combined.

(B) Exception

(d) Crediting and availability of fees

(e) Collection of fees

(1) In general

(2) Collection of unpaid fees

(f) Annual report to Congress

(g) Authorization of appropriations

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, § 743, as added Pub. L. 111–353, title I, § 107(a), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3906.)