Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 7 : Section 250


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/03/05
Section 250. Warehouse receipts

    (a) In general
      At the request of the depositor of an agricultural product stored
    or handled in a warehouse licensed under this chapter, the
    warehouse operator shall issue a receipt to the depositor as
    prescribed by the Secretary.
    (b) Actual storage required
      A receipt may not be issued under this section for an
    agricultural product unless the agricultural product is actually
    stored in the warehouse at the time of the issuance of the receipt.
    (c) Contents
      Each receipt issued for an agricultural product stored or handled
    in a warehouse licensed under this chapter shall contain such
    information, for each agricultural product covered by the receipt,
    as the Secretary may require by regulation.
    (d) Prohibition on additional receipts or other documents
      (1) Receipts
        While a receipt issued under this chapter is outstanding and
      uncanceled by the warehouse operator, an additional receipt may
      not be issued for the same agricultural product (or any portion
      of the same agricultural product) represented by the outstanding
      receipt, except as authorized by the Secretary.
      (2) Other documents
        If a document is transferred under this section, no duplicate
      document in any form may be transferred by any person with
      respect to the same agricultural product represented by the
      document, except as authorized by the Secretary.
    (e) Electronic receipts and electronic documents
      Except as provided in section 242(h)(2) of this title,
    notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or State law:
      (1) In general
        The Secretary may promulgate regulations that authorize the
      issuance, recording, and transfer of electronic receipts, and the
      transfer of other electronic documents, in accordance with this
      subsection.
      (2) Electronic receipt or electronic document systems
        Electronic receipts may be issued, recorded, and transferred,
      and electronic documents may be transferred, under this
      subsection with respect to an agricultural product under, a
      system or systems maintained in one or more locations and
      approved by the Secretary in accordance with regulations issued
      under this chapter.
      (3) Treatment of holder
        Any person designated as the holder of an electronic receipt or
      other electronic document issued or transferred under this
      chapter shall, for the purpose of perfecting the security
      interest of the person under Federal or State law and for all
      other purposes, be considered to be in possession of the receipt
      or other electronic document.
      (4) Nondiscrimination
        An electronic receipt issued, or other electronic document
      transferred, in accordance with this chapter shall not be denied
      legal effect, validity, or enforceability on the ground that the
      information is generated, sent, received, or stored by electronic
      or similar means.
      (5) Security interests
        If more than one security interest exists in the agricultural
      product that is the subject of an electronic receipt or other
      electronic document under this chapter, the priority of the
      security interest shall be determined by the applicable Federal
      or State law.
      (6) No electronic receipt required
        A person shall not be required to issue in electronic form a
      receipt or document with respect to an agricultural product.
      (7) Option for non-federally licensed warehouse operators
        Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a
      warehouse operator not licensed under this chapter may, at the
      option of the warehouse operator and in accordance with
      regulations established by the Secretary, issue electronic
      receipts and transfer other electronic documents in accordance
      with this chapter.
      (8) Application to State-licensed warehouse operators
        This subsection shall not apply to a warehouse operator that is
      licensed under State law to store agricultural commodities in a
      warehouse in the State if the warehouse operator elects - 
          (A) not to issue electronic receipts authorized under this
        subsection; or
          (B) to issue electronic receipts authorized under State law.



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