HB171 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Legislature, committees, chair of committee authorized to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers

Summary

HB 171 would let legislative committee chairs issue subpoenas for witnesses and records, set rules for how they are used, outline penalties and witness compensation, and interacts with local-fund spending rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes the chair of a legislative committee, by a majority vote, to issue subpoenas to compel witness attendance and the production of papers and other evidence. It establishes how subpoenas are issued, served, and executed, and provides for witness compensation. It also gives the chair power to administer oaths, take depositions, and pursue enforcement through the courts if someone fails to comply or commits perjury, while outlining self-incrimination protections for witnesses.

Who It Affects

• Legislative committee members, chairs, and witnesses, who would be subject to subpoenas, compelled testimony, and potential penalties or compensation.
• Local governments and local funds, because the bill touches on a constitutional requirement about new or increased local-fund expenditures, though it seeks to exempt the bill from needing local approval under existing exceptions.

Key Provisions

• Section 2: The committee chair may issue a subpoena by majority vote to compel attendance and production of papers, with subpoenas having court-like power.
• Section 3: Subpoenas are issued in the name of the committee, served by the House Clerk or Senate Secretary, and served according to the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Section 4: Subpoenaed witnesses must be compensated, including travel pay, from appropriated Legislature funds.
• Section 5: The chair may administer oaths and take depositions; perjury penalties apply; the chair can seek court help to compel appearance or production; contempt can be meted out by the court.
• Section 6: Protections related to self-incrimination; witnesses can be compelled to testify with certain immunities and voluntary testifying is allowed under specified conditions.
• Section 8: The act is excluded from certain local-fund expenditure requirements due to exceptions, meaning it does not require local approval under Amendment 621.
• Section 9: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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