§4-3-4. Access to records of state agency or department; public hearings; meetings; administering oaths to persons testifying; compelling access to records and attendance of witnesses; production of evidence.

For the purpose of obtaining information in conjunction with the formulation of new laws or the revision of existing laws or in conjunction with any investigation or survey, the committee, or an employee duly authorized by the committee, shall have access to any and all records of every agency or department of the state.

In addition to its regular and special meetings, the committee, or any employee duly authorized by the committee, is empowered to hold public hearings in furtherance of the purposes authorized by this article, at such times and places within the state as may be desirable, and either cochairman or any member of the committee shall have the power to administer oaths to persons testifying at such hearings or meetings.

By subpoena, issued over the signature of either cochairman of the committee and served in the manner provided by law, the committee may summon and compel the attendance of witnesses and their examination under oath and the production of all books, papers, documents and records necessary or convenient to be examined and used by the committee in the performance of its duties. If any witness subpoenaed to appear at any hearing or meeting shall refuse to appear or to answer inquiries there propounded, or shall fail or refuse to produce books, papers, documents or records within his or her control when the same are demanded, the committee in its discretion may enforce obedience to its subpoena by attachment, fine or imprisonment, as provided in section five, article one of this chapter; or it may report the facts to the circuit court of Kanawha County or any other court of competent jurisdiction and such court shall compel obedience to the subpoena as though such subpoena had been issued by such court in the first instance.

Witnesses subpoenaed to attend such hearings or meetings, except officers or employees of the state, shall be allowed the same mileage and per diem as is allowed witnesses before any petit jury in this state.