7 U.S.C. § 2204g : US Code - Section 2204G: Authority of Secretary of Agriculture to conduct census of agriculture

Search 7 U.S.C. § 2204g : US Code - Section 2204G: Authority of Secretary of Agriculture to conduct census of agriculture

(a) Census of agriculture required
In 1998 and every fifth year thereafter, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall take a census of agriculture.
(b) Methods
In connection with the census, the Secretary may conduct any
survey or other information collection, and employ any sampling or
other statistical method, that the Secretary determines is
appropriate.
(c) Year of information
The information collected in each census taken under this section
shall relate to the year immediately preceding the year in which
the census is taken.
(d) Enforcement
(1) Fraud
A person over 18 years of age who willfully gives an answer
that is false to a question, which is authorized by the Secretary
to be submitted to the person in connection with a census under
this section, shall be fined not more than $500.
(2) Refusal or neglect to answer questions
A person over 18 years of age who refuses or willfully neglects
to answer a question, which is authorized by the Secretary to be
submitted to the person in connection with a census under this
section, shall be fined not more than $100.
(3) Social Security number
The failure or refusal of a person to disclose the person's
Social Security number in response to a request made in
connection with any census or other activity under this section
shall not be a violation under this subsection.
(4) Religious information
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no person
shall be compelled to disclose information relative to the
religious beliefs of the person or to membership of the person in
a religious body.
(e) Geographic coverage
A census under this section shall include - 
(1) each of the several States of the United States;
(2) as determined appropriate by the Secretary, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands,
and Guam; and
(3) with the concurrence of the Secretary and the Secretary of
State, any other possession or area over which the United States
exercises jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty.
(f) Cooperation with Secretary of Commerce
(1) Information provided to Secretary of Agriculture
On a written request by the Secretary of Agriculture, the
Secretary of Commerce may provide to the Secretary of Agriculture
any information collected under title 13 that the Secretary of
Agriculture considers necessary for the taking of a census or
survey under this section.
(2) Information provided to Secretary of Commerce
On a written request by the Secretary of Commerce, the
Secretary of Agriculture may provide to the Secretary of Commerce
any information collected in a census taken under this section
that the Secretary of Commerce considers necessary for the taking
of a census or survey under title 13.
(3) Confidentiality
Information obtained under this subsection may not be used for
any purpose other than the statistical purposes for which the
information is supplied. For purposes of sections 9 and 214 of
title 13, any information provided under paragraph (2) shall be
considered information furnished under the provisions of title
13.
(g) Regulations
A regulation necessary to carry out this section may be
promulgated by - 
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture, to the extent that a matter
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary is involved; and
(2) the Secretary of Commerce, to the extent that a matter
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce is involved.