; (ii) upon so intervening, be heard on all matters arising therein; and (iii) file petitions for appeal. (D) Construction For purposes of bringing any civil action under subparagraph (A), nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the chief legal officer or other State officer from exercising the powers conferred on that officer by the laws of the State to conduct investigations or to administer oaths or affirmations or to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence. (E) Venue; service or process (i) Venue An action brought under subparagraph (A) shall be brought in a district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section 1391 of title 28, United States Code. (ii) Service of process In an action brought under subparagraph (A)— (I) process may be served without regard to the territorial limits of the district or of the State in which the action is instituted; and (II) a person who participated in an alleged violation that is being litigated in the civil action may be joined in the civil action without regard to the residence of the person. (e) No waiver or forbearance Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), the Commission may not— (1) waive the application of this section to any person; (2) forbear from applying this section; (3) prevent or hinder any person from exercising the private right of action under subsection (d)(2); or (4) prevent or hinder an officer of a State from carrying out subsection (d)(3). (f) Preemption (1) In general This section shall supersede any law of a State to the extent that the law directly conflicts with this section. (2) Floor A law of a State shall not be considered to be in direct conflict with this section if the law affords a greater level of protection to customers protected under this section.