Sec. 301.020. POWERS AND DUTIES OF GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES. (a) Each general investigating committee may initiate or continue inquiries and hearings concerning:
(1) state government;
(2) any agency or subdivision of government within the state;
(3) the expenditure of public funds at any level of government within the state; and
(4) any other matter the committee considers necessary for the information of the legislature or for the welfare and protection of state citizens.
(b) Each general investigating committee may inspect the records, documents, and files and may examine the duties, responsibilities, and activities of each state department, agency, and officer and of each municipality, county, or other political subdivision of the state.
(c) If a person disobeys a subpoena or other process that a general investigating committee lawfully issues, the committee may cite the person for contempt and cause the person to be prosecuted for contempt according to the procedure prescribed by this chapter or by other law.
(d) Each general investigating committee shall make reports to members of the legislature that the committee determines are necessary and appropriate.
(e) Information held by a general investigating committee is confidential and not subject to public disclosure except as provided by the rules of the house establishing the committee.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1005, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 9, eff. June 14, 2019.
Structure Texas Statutes
Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization
Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure
Section 301.013. Selection of Committees
Section 301.014. Powers and Duties of Standing Committees
Section 301.015. Meetings of Standing Committees
Section 301.016. Special Committees
Section 301.017. General Investigating Committees
Section 301.018. General Investigating Committee Meetings
Section 301.019. Joint General Investigating Committee Hearings
Section 301.020. Powers and Duties of General Investigating Committees
Section 301.021. General Investigating Committee Employees
Section 301.022. Testimony Under Oath
Section 301.0221. Use of Pseudonym by Victims of Human Trafficking
Section 301.023. Administering Oaths
Section 301.025. Refusal to Testify
Section 301.026. Contempt of Legislature
Section 301.027. Prosecution for Contempt of Legislature
Section 301.028. Cooperation of Other Agencies
Section 301.029. Appropriations for Salaries, per Diem, and Expenditures
Section 301.031. Committee Staff
Section 301.032. Gifts and Grants
Section 301.033. Allocation of Space in Legislative Services Building
Section 301.034. Termination of Membership on Interim Committee
Section 301.035. Joint Interim Committee per Diem and Travel Expenses