114 STAT. 2068 PUBLIC LAW 106-472—NOV. 9, 2000 7 USC 253. "SEC. 14. PUBLIC INFORMATION. "(a) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary may release to the public the names, addresses, and locations of all persons— "(1) that have been licensed under this Act or that have been approved to engage in an activity under this Act; and "(2) with respect to which a license or approval has been suspended or revoked under section 13, the results of any investigation made or hearing conducted under this Act, including the reasons for the suspension or revocation. "(b) CONFIDENTIALITY.— Except as otherwise provided by law, an officer, employee, or agent of the Department shall not divulge confidential business information obtained during a warehouse examination or other function performed as part of the duties of the officer, employee, or agent under this Act. 7 USC 254. "SEC. 15. PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE. "If a person fails to comply with any requirement of this Act (including regulations promulgated under this Act), the Secretary may assess, on the record after an opportunity for a hearing, a civil penalty— "(1) of not more than $25,000 per violation, if an agricultural product is not involved in the violation; or "(2) of not more than 100 percent of the value of the agricultural product, if an agricultural product is involved in the violation. 7 USC 255. "SEC. 16. JURISDICTION AND ARBITRATION. "(a) FEDERAL JURISDICTION. — A district court of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any action brought under this Act without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties. "(b) ARBITRATION. —Nothing in this Act prevents the enforceability of an agreement to arbitrate that would otherwise be enforceable under chapter 1 of title 9, United States Code. 7 USC 256. "SEC. 17. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. "There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.". 7 USC 241 note. SEC. 202. REGULATIONS. Deadline. Federal Register, publication. Deadline. (a) PROPOSED REGULATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall publish in the Federal Register proposed regulations for carrying out the amendment made by section 201. (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.
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