Section 2-1104 - Authority of standing committees as to subpoenas, oaths, testimony, and depositions.
§ 2-1104. Authority of standing committees as to subpoenas, oaths, testimony, and depositions.
(a) In general.- With the prior approval of the Legislative Policy Committee, a standing committee, in carrying out any of its functions or powers, may:
(1) issue subpoenas;
(2) compel the attendance of witnesses;
(3) compel the production of any papers, books, accounts, documents, and testimony;
(4) administer oaths; and
(5) cause the depositions of witnesses, who reside in or outside of the State, to be taken in the manner provided by law for taking depositions in a civil case.
(b) Enforcement.-
(1) If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this section or fails to testify on any matter on which the person lawfully may be interrogated, on petition of a member of the standing committee, a circuit court may pass an order directing compliance with the subpoena or compelling testimony and may enforce the order by proceedings for contempt.
(2) Venue and procedures for a proceeding under paragraph (1) of this subsection to direct compliance with a subpoena or compel testimony are as provided in § 2-1803 of this title.
(c) Perjury.- False swearing by a witness before a standing committee is perjury.
[An. Code 1957, art. 40, § 30; 1984, ch. 284, § 1; 2007, ch. 546.]