(a) Administrative proceeding means any proceeding pending before any federal, state, or local agency and undertaken for the purpose of the issuance of any regulations, orders, licenses, permits, or other rulings, or the adjudication of any matter, dispute, or controversy.

(b) Appearance means testimony or production of documents the request for which arises out of an employee's official duties with USDA or relates to his or her employment with USDA. For the purpose of this subpart, an appearance also includes an affidavit, deposition, interrogatory, or other required written submission.

(c) Judicial proceeding means any case or controversy pending before any federal, state, or local court.

(d) Travel expenses means the amount of money paid to a witness for reimbursement for transportation, lodging, meals, and other miscellaneous expenses in connection with attendance at a judicial or administrative proceeding.

(e) USDA means the United States Department of Agriculture.

(f) USDA agency means an organizational unit of USDA whose head reports to an official within the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture.

(g) Valid summons, subpoena, or other compulsory process means an order that is served properly and within the legal authority and the jurisdictional boundaries of the court or administrative agency or official that has issued it.

(h) Witness fees means the amount of money paid to a witness as compensation for attendance at a judicial or administrative proceeding.