HB57 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Jones

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

Legislative committee conducting impeachment investigation may invoke the power of circuit court to compel testimony and production of evidence

Summary

HB57 would let a specific Alabama circuit court issue subpoenas to compel testimony and produce evidence in a House impeachment investigation.

What This Bill Does

It requires the Circuit Court for the 15th Judicial Circuit to issue a subpoena or order upon application by the impeachment committee chair to require a person to appear and provide testimony and produce all relevant evidence. A person who does not comply can be held in contempt by the court. The act adds a formal mechanism where there was none before for compelling testimony and evidence in impeachment investigations, and it takes effect immediately after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects

• Members of the Alabama House impeachment committees (and their staff or investigators) who can apply to the Circuit Court for subpoenas to compel testimony and evidence.
• Individuals who are subjects of an impeachment investigation or who may be called to testify or produce evidence, who would be required to comply and could face contempt if they refuse.

Key Provisions

• The Circuit Court for the 15th Judicial Circuit must issue a subpoena or order upon the committee chair's application to compel a person to appear, provide testimony, and produce all evidence relevant to the matter.
• The subpoena requires the person to appear before the committee, its counsel, or investigator and to produce all evidence and give testimony related to the issue.
• A person who fails to obey the court's order may be punished for contempt.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and approval by the Governor (or otherwise becoming law).

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