A. If a witness in attendance before the Director of the ABLE Commission refuses without reasonable cause to be examined or to answer a legal or pertinent question, or to produce a book, record or paper when ordered to do so by the Director, the Director may apply to the judge of the district court of any county where such witness is in attendance, upon proof by affidavit of the fact, for a rule or order returnable in not less than two (2) nor more than five (5) days, directing such witness to show cause before the judge who made the order, or any other district judge of the county, why he or she should not be punished for contempt. Upon the return of such order, the judge before whom the matter shall come for hearing shall examine under oath such witness or person, and such person shall be given an opportunity to be heard. If the judge shall determine that such person has refused, without reasonable cause or legal excuse, to be examined or answer a legal or pertinent question, or to produce a book, record or paper which he or she was ordered to bring or produce, the judge may punish the offender as for contempt of court and shall fix the penalty in any sum not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) but not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or require him or her to serve a maximum of thirty (30) days in jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

B. Subpoenas shall be served and witness fees and mileage paid as in civil cases in the district court in the county to which such witness shall be called. Witnesses subpoenaed at the instance of the Director shall be paid their fees and mileage by the Director out of funds appropriated by the Legislature. Court costs in the contempt proceedings shall be paid as taxed by the court.

Added by Laws 2016, c. 366, § 168, eff. Oct. 1, 2018.

NOTE: Laws 2016, c. 366, was conditionally effective upon passage of State Question No. 792, Legislative Referendum No. 370, which was adopted at election held on Nov. 8, 2016.