The commission and related officers may subpoena witnesses and gather testimony and records; a noncompliant witness can be taken to court and punished for contempt.
Sec. 5.44. SUBPOENA OF WITNESSES; WITNESS FEES; CONTEMPT. (a) The commission or administrator, or an inspector or representative of the commission under the direction of the commission, for the purposes of this code, may: (1) issue subpoenas; (2) compel the attendance of witnesses; (3) administer oaths; (4) certify to official acts; (5) take depositions inside or outside the state, as provided by law; (6) compel the production of pertinent books, accounts, records, documents, and testimony; and (7) certify to copies of documents as being true copies on file in the official records of the commission. (b) If a witness in attendance before the commission or before an authorized representative refuses without reasonable cause to be examined or answer a legal or pertinent question, or to produce a book, record, or paper when ordered by the commission to do so, the commission may apply to the district court for a rule or order returnable in not less than two nor more than five days, directing the witness to show cause before the judge why he should not be punished for contempt. The commission may apply to the district court of any county where the witness is in attendance, on proof by affidavit of the fact, unless the order of contempt is sought under Chapter 2001, Government Code, in which case the commission shall apply to a district court of Travis County in conformity with that Act. On return of the order, the judge hearing the matter shall examine the witness under oath, and the witness shall be given an opportunity to be heard. If the judge determines that the witness 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 was ordered to bring or produce, he may forthwith punish the offender as for contempt of court. (c) Subpoenas are served and witness fees and mileage paid as in civil cases in the district court in the county to which the witness is called, unless the proceeding for which the service or payment is made is pursuant to Chapter 2001, Government Code, in which case the service or payment shall be made as provided in that Act. Witnesses subpoenaed at the instance of the commission shall be paid their fees and mileage by the commission out of funds appropriated for that purpose. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 401, ch. 194, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1970, ch. 777, Sec. 15, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(49), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.