§969.40. Powers of commission

A. The commission shall have the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, papers, books, records, and other evidence before it in any matter over which it has jurisdiction, control, or supervision pertaining to this Chapter. The commission shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations to any person whose testimony is required.

B. If any person shall refuse to obey any such subpoena, to give testimony, or to produce evidence as required thereby, any judge of the district court for the parish of Jefferson may, upon application and proof of such refusal, make an order awarding process of subpoena or subpoena duces tecum out of the district court for the witness to appear before the commission and to give testimony and to produce evidence as required thereby. Upon filing such order in the office of the clerk of the district court, the clerk shall issue process of subpoena, as directed under the seal of said court requiring the person to whom it is directed, to appear at the time and place therein designated.

C. If any person served with any such subpoena shall refuse to obey the same and to give testimony and to produce evidence as required thereby, the commission may apply to any judge of the district court for an attachment against such person, as for contempt. The judge, upon satisfactory proof of such refusal, shall issue an attachment, directed to any sheriff, constable, or police officer, for the arrest of such person and, upon his being brought before such judge, proceed to a hearing of the case. The judge shall have the power to enforce obedience to such subpoena, the answering of any question, and the production of any evidence that may be proper, by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, by imprisonment, or by both fine and imprisonment, and to compel such witness to pay the costs of such proceeding to be taxed.

D. The commission is hereby vested with the powers and duties necessary and proper to enable it to fully and effectively carry out the provisions and objects of this Chapter, including without limitation the imposition of fines and penalties against persons violating this Chapter and is hereby authorized and empowered to make and enforce all reasonable rules and regulations and to adopt and prescribe all forms necessary to accomplish said purpose, and the enumeration of any power or authority herein shall not be construed to deny, impair, disparage, or limit any others necessary to the attainment thereof. A copy of all rules and regulations adopted by the commission shall be published and recorded in the manner prescribed by law and may be amended, modified, or repealed from time to time.

E. The chairman and members of the commission shall receive fifty dollars per diem for each and every day actually and necessarily spent in attending to the business of the commission with respect to administration, regulation, and enforcement of this Chapter and shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in performance of the duties provided for in this Section.

Acts 1999, No. 794, §1, eff. July 2, 1999; Acts 2006, No. 785, §1.