House Rules #
“Each committee of the House is hereby authorized to study and analyze all facts relating to the subject which would fall within its jurisdiction as indicated by the Rules, including necessary revision of existing laws, other legislation relating to such subjects, investigate the need for legislation in a particular area, and to oversee activities carried out pursuant to laws regarding such subjects, and for such purposes shall constitute an investigating committee. Witnesses may be summoned and examined, documents and records searched and examined in accordance with Section 14(b), Article II of the Constitution, and everything shall be done to bring all facts pertaining to the matter before the House” (House Rules VII, Section 3).
“It shall be the duty of the committee to make a diligent and careful inquiry and investigation into all of the facts and circumstances connected with bills, resolutions or other matters referred to it, and to report its recommendations on any matter it deems worthy of consideration by the House” (House Rules VII, Section 4).
“Warrants, subpoenas, and other processes may be issued as provided in Article II, Section 14 of the Constitution and 1 CMC, Division 1, Chapter 3. Any committee chairman or authorized person may issue subpoenas by majority vote of the committee. Any person refusing to attend a session of the House or a committee meeting after being properly subpoenaed may be arrested by the Sergeant-At-Arms or any police officer of the Commonwealth and brought before the House or a committee thereof, as the case may be. The Speaker may issue a warrant to carry into effect the orders of the House or any House committee in the arrest of an offender” (House Rule XII, Section 1).
“Any person who shall be guilty of disrespect of the House by any disorderly or contemptuous behavior in its presence or before any of its committees, or who shall fail to appear to testify before the House or any of its committees after being subpoenaed, or who shall assault or detain any witness of the House or its committees, or who shall violate 1 CMC, Division 1, Chapter 3, shall be in contempt of the House. The Speaker may issue a warrant of arrest to the Sergeant-At-Arms or any police officer of the Commonwealth for the arrest of a person found to be in contempt of the House” (House Rule XII, Section 2).
Senate Rules #
“(a) Each committee of the Senate is hereby authorized to study and analyze all facts relating to the subjects that fall within its jurisdiction as indicated by this rule and Rule 8 including, but not limited to, a needed revision of the laws or needed legislation relating to that subject, and for such purpose shall constitute an investigation committee. Witnesses may be summoned and examined, documents and records searched and examined in accordance with Article II, Section 14 (b) of the Commonwealth Constitution, and everything shall be done to bring all facts pertaining to the matter before the Senate” (Senate Rule 7, Section 3).
“It shall be the duty of a committee to make diligent and careful inquiry and investigation into all of the facts and circumstances connected with any bill, resolution or matter referred to it, or any needed revision of the laws or needed legislation relating to a subject within its jurisdiction” (Senate Rule 7, Section 4).
“(b) The chair of each committee shall call meetings, preside at committee meetings, prepare and post necessary agenda, invite witnesses to appear before the committee, issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses or production of documents upon a majority vote of the members of the committee, prepare committee reports subject to the requirements of the Rules, and keep and maintain permanent files of all testimony, correspondence, legal opinions and other supporting documents concerning all bills and resolutions considered by the committee” (Senate Rule 7, Section 6).
“Under Article II, Section 14(b) of the N.M.I. Constitution, ‘The [Senate] may compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers before the [Senate] or its committees. The President and investigating committee may issue subpoenas as provided under 1 CMC § 1301. Any person neglecting or refusing to attend a session of the Senate or a committee meeting after being properly subpoenaed may be arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms or any police officer of the Commonwealth or any senatorial district and brought before the Senate or a committee thereof, as the case may be. The President may issue a warrant to carry into effect the orders of the Senate, or any committee thereof, in the arrest of an offender'” (Senate Rule 12, Section 1).
“Any person who shall be guilty of disrespecting the Senate by any disorderly or contemptuous behavior in its presence or before any of its committees, or who shall assault or detain any witness of the Senate or its committees, or who shall violate 1 CMC, Division 1, Chapter 3, shall be in contempt of the Senate. The President may issue a warrant of arrest to the Sergeant-at-Arms
or any police officer of the Commonwealth or any senatorial district for the arrest of a person found to be in contempt of the Senate” (Senate Rule 12, Section 2).
