Bill > SB2160

This bill allows legislative committees in Oklahoma to issue subpoenas, which are official orders requiring someone to appear in court or provide documents, for their investigations or oversight duties. A "legislative committee" is defined broadly to include various types of committees within the Legislature. A "majority vote" means more than half of the committee members voting, excluding those who are not regular members unless they are present and voting. A "subpoena" can be used to compel witnesses to testify or to produce evidence. The bill outlines two ways a subpoena can be authorized: either by a majority vote of the committee when it's properly assembled with enough members present (a quorum), or by the joint agreement of the committee's chair and vice chair. If a subpoena is issued under this bill and someone disobeys it or causes disruption, they can be held in contempt, similar to how contempt is handled under the Oklahoma Constitution. This new power is in addition to existing constitutional authority and does not prevent either house of the Legislature from using other investigative powers. The bill also states that any conflicting rules of the Senate or House of Representatives are overridden by this new law, and it declares an emergency, meaning it will take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb2160&Session=2600