HB240 Summary

• Standing committees of the Alabama House and Senate are granted authority to issue subpoenas, including subpoenas duces tecum, to compel witness testimony and production of documents necessary for committee business.

• Subpoenas must be signed by the committee chair, delivered through the Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House, and follow the standard form used by courts of record in the state.

• Persons who fail to appear, testify, or produce documents in response to a legislative subpoena are in violation of the act; the circuit court of the 15th Judicial Circuit may enforce compliance through injunctive action and contempt proceedings.

• Witnesses may claim privilege against self-incrimination, but if the committee requires testimony, witnesses receive immunity from criminal liability for facts directly related to their testimony (except for perjury or contempt).

• Witnesses subpoenaed to appear before committees are entitled to compensation including travel pay at the same rate as civil court witnesses, paid from legislative appropriations.