AR HB1652

Amends Arkansas Code § 10-2-301 to clarify that the Senate and House can issue subpoenas before legislative committees and establish that committees, joint committees, and legislative task forces can subpoena persons, documents, and records upon majority approval of their members.

Modifies Arkansas Code § 10-2-303 to specify that subpoenas issued under § 10-2-301(b) must be signed by the chair or acting chair of the committee or legislative task force voting to issue the subpoena, in addition to being signed by the appropriate legislative officer.

Updates Arkansas Code § 10-2-306 to clarify that committee chairs, members acting as chair, or their designees of committees and legislative task forces empowered to issue subpoenas shall have authority to administer oaths and take depositions.

Establishes that circuit courts shall punish persons for contempt of the General Assembly under the same standards applied to contempt of court when witnesses fail to appear or produce subpoenaed materials.

Repeals Arkansas Code § 10-2-307 (Subpoena by committee), consolidating its provisions into the amended sections.