RS 24:4

252 words·~1 min read·/la/title-24/24-69

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RS 24:4

§4. Contempt of the legislature; penalties

A. Whenever the legislature or either house of the legislature, or whenever any committee of either house or any joint committee of both houses or any sub-committee of any such committee, which committee, joint committee or sub-committee has been specifically and expressly granted the subpoena power, has summoned any person as a witness to give testimony or to produce papers or other evidence upon any matter under inquiry before such house, committee, joint committee or sub-committee, such person shall be guilty of contempt of the legislature if he or she

(1)willfully defaults by failing to appear or to produce papers or other evidence, as ordered, or

(2)having appeared, refuses to take the oath or affirmation of a witness, or

(3)having appeared, refuses to answer any question pertinent to the question under inquiry.

B. Whoever is found guilty of contempt of the legislature under the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

C. The provisions of R.S. 24:4 through R.S. 24:6 are hereby declared to be supplemental to the powers of the legislature and of the senate and of the house of representatives to punish for contempt, and the legislature hereby reserves to itself and to the senate and to the house of representatives all inherent and all constitutional powers to punish for contempt.

Added by Acts 1963, No. 51, §1.