HB526 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joseph C. Mitchell

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Legislative standing committees, granted subpoena powers, authority to administer oaths, immunity, penalty

Summary

HB526 would give standing House and Senate committees in Alabama the authority to subpoena witnesses and documents, with court enforcement and witness compensation provisions.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes standing committees to issue subpoenas, including to obtain documents, to help them handle pending legislation and committee business. Subpoenas can be served by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House, and must follow a standard form. If someone does not comply, the committee chair can certify the failure to the Circuit Court (15th Judicial Circuit) to enforce the subpoena, and the court may punish noncompliance as contempt. The bill also sets up oath requirements for witnesses, clarifies protections around self-incrimination with voluntary testimony under certain conditions, and provides for compensation of witnesses, including travel pay.

Who It Affects

• Standing committees of the House and Senate would gain explicit authority to issue subpoenas and to require production of records needed for committee business.
• Individuals or organizations subpoenaed to testify or produce documents would be compelled to comply, may face court-enforced penalties for noncompliance, and may receive mandated witness compensation (including travel pay).

Key Provisions

• Committees may issue subpoenas to compel attendance and the production of documents or other evidence, including subpoenas duces tecum, for pending legislation or assigned subjects.
• Noncompliance can be certified to the Circuit Court (15th Judicial Circuit) for injunctive enforcement and possible contempt penalties.
• Witnesses must take an oath or affirmation; violations subject to perjury and contempt laws, with committee-specific oath administration authority.
• Provisions address self-incrimination, allowing limited voluntary testimony under conditions, but with no broad immunity from criminal prosecution for related testimony; testimony may be used subject to specified limitations.
• Witnesses are entitled to compensation, including travel pay, paid from funds appropriated to the Legislature.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Legislature