2010 Tennessee Code
Title 60 - Oil And Gas
Chapter 1 - Production of Oil and Gas
Part 2 - Oil and Gas Board
60-1-205 - Power to subpoena and swear witnesses.

60-1-205. Power to subpoena and swear witnesses.

(a)  The board, or any member thereof, is empowered to issue subpoenas for witnesses, to require their attendance and the giving of testimony before it, and to require the production of books, papers and records in any proceeding before the board as may be material upon questions lawfully before the board. Such subpoenas shall be served by the sheriff or any other officer authorized by law to serve process in this state. No person shall be excused from attending and testifying, or from producing books, papers and records before the board or a court, or from obedience to the subpoena of the board or a court, on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of such person may tend to incriminate the person or subject the person to a penalty or forfeiture; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed as requiring any person to produce any books, papers or records, or to testify in response to any inquiry, not pertinent to some question lawfully before such board or court for determination. No natural person shall be subjected to criminal prosecution or to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing concerning which the person may be required to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, before the board or court, or in obedience to its subpoena; provided, that no person testifying shall be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying.

(b)  In case of failure or refusal on the part of any person to comply with any subpoena issued by the board or any members thereof, or in case of the refusal of any witness to testify or answer to any matter regarding which the person may be lawfully interrogated, any circuit court in this state in the county where the board is sitting, on application of the board, may in term time or vacation, issue an attachment for such person and compel the person to comply with such subpoena and to attend before the board and produce such documents, and give testimony upon such matters, as may be lawfully required, and such court shall have the power to punish for contempt as in case of disobedience of like subpoenas issued by or from such court, or for a refusal to testify therein. The chair or any member of the board is authorized to administer oaths to witnesses, and any false swearing shall constitute perjury and be punished in accordance with the general criminal statutes relating to perjury.

[Acts 1943, ch. 64, § 7; C. Supp. 1950, § 5240.7; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 754, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 60-108.]