HB526 Summary

• Standing committees of the Alabama House and Senate gain authority to issue subpoenas for witnesses and documents (including subpoenas duces tecum) to conduct committee business and obtain testimony on pending legislation.

• Committee chairs sign and issue subpoenas, which are served by the Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House following standard court subpoena procedures requiring identification of the committee, witness, and time/place of appearance.

• Persons failing to appear, answer questions, or produce documents after being served face violation charges, with the committee chair certifying violations to the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, which may issue injunctions and hold violators in contempt.

• Witnesses must take oaths before testifying and can be compelled to testify even when claiming self-incrimination privilege, but statements made under compulsion cannot be used against them in criminal proceedings except for perjury or contempt charges.

• Subpoenaed witnesses receive compensation and travel pay equivalent to civil court witnesses, paid from legislative appropriations via State Comptroller warrants on the State Treasury.