SB69 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

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

Summary

SB69 would give standing legislative committees the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, enforce subpoenas through the courts, and pay witness expenses.

What This Bill Does

It would authorize standing committees in both the House and Senate to issue subpoenas for testimony and for the production of documents needed for committee business. Subpoenas can be served by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House and must be signed by the committee chair using a standard form. If someone fails to comply, the committee chair can certify the violation to the Circuit Court (15th Judicial Circuit), which can order enforcement and may punish contempt. There are rules about witnesses taking an oath and handling self-incrimination, including provisions for voluntary testimony under certain conditions, and subpoenaed witnesses are entitled to compensation for travel and other approved expenses.

Who It Affects

• Members of standing committees (House and Senate): gain explicit authority to issue subpoenas and compel testimony and document production for committee work.
• Witnesses and organizations called before committees: may be required to attend, answer questions, and produce documents, with potential penalties for noncompliance.
• Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House: responsible for serving subpoenas on behalf of committees.
• Circuit Court (15th Judicial Circuit): handles enforcement of subpoenas and can impose injunctive relief or contempt penalties.
• State Comptroller and Legislature: handle payment of witness expenses from funds appropriated to the Legislature.

Key Provisions

• A committee may issue subpoenas, including subpoenas duces tecum, to compel witness attendance and production of documents for pending legislation or committee business.
• Subpoenas must be served by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House, signed by the committee chair, and in the standard form used by courts of record in the state.
• If a person fails to appear or to answer or produce requested materials, the chair shall certify the violation to the Circuit Court (15th Judicial Circuit), which may enforce the subpoena and punish contempt.
• Witnesses before a committee must take an oath or affirmation; the chair may administer the oath, with violations subject to perjury laws and contempt proceedings.
• Provisions govern the privilege against self-incrimination, including potential voluntary testimony under conditions and specific disclosures about rights and immunity, as appropriate.
• Witnesses subpoenaed are entitled to compensation, including travel pay, paid from funds appropriated to the Legislature, upon requisitions signed by the committee chair.
• The act is to be read with existing laws and practice on subpoenas, with immediate effect upon passage and approval.

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