HB557 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

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

Summary

HB557 would give standing legislative committees in both chambers the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, with court-backed enforcement and witness compensation.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes standing House and Senate committees to issue subpoenas for witness testimony and for production of records needed for committee work. Subpoenas can be served by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House and must be issued and signed by the committee chair in a standard form. If someone does not comply, the committee chair can certify the matter to the Circuit Court (15th Judicial Circuit) for injunctive relief and possible contempt penalties; witnesses must take an oath, and there are rules about self-incrimination and optional voluntary testimony with specific warnings and waivers. The bill also requires that subpoenaed witnesses be paid for travel and other approved expenses.

Who It Affects

• Standing committees of the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate, which would gain the authority to subpoena witnesses and documents for legislative business.
• Individuals or entities subpoenaed to testify or produce records, who could be compelled to comply, may face court-enforced penalties and would be eligible for prescribed witness compensation.

Key Provisions

• Committees may issue subpoenas to compel attendance of witnesses and production of records or evidence, including subpoenas duces tecum, for pending legislation or committee-assigned matters.
• Subpoenas are served by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House and must be signed by the committee chair; the subpoena form mirrors that used by courts of record in the state.
• Non-compliance can lead to certification to the Circuit Court (15th Judicial Circuit), which may impose injunctive relief and contempt penalties to enforce the subpoena.
• Witnesses must take an oath or affirmation before testifying; the chair may administer oaths; perjury and contempt apply if violated.
• If a witness is compelled to testify despite privilege against self-incrimination, specific immunity rules apply, including a framework for voluntary testimony with warnings and waivers.
• Witnesses subpoenaed are entitled to compensation, including travel pay, similar to civil-case witnesses, paid from legislative funds via warrants through the State Comptroller.
• The act is designed to work with existing laws on subpoenas and effective immediately upon passage.

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