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Committee agrees to introduce bill to give Office of Administrative Hearings subpoena authority
Summary
The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee voted to introduce RS 31,793, a bill that would give the Office of Administrative Hearings explicit subpoena power for contested administrative cases; sponsor said the bill would have no effect on the state general fund.
The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee voted by voice to introduce RS 31,793 on Jan. 15, 2025. The measure, presented by Representative Bruce Scogg, would give the Office of Administrative Hearings statutory subpoena authority for contested administrative cases.
Representative Bruce Scogg told the committee the bill “comes to you from the chief, from the Office of Administrative Hearings,” and that Brian Nichols, director of the office, would appear at the formal bill hearing. Scogg said the measure is “pretty simple” and that the statement of purpose “says it all.”
Scogg said subpoenas are “generally permitted in administrative contested cases,” but that the Office of Administrative Hearings currently lacks explicit power and therefore faces logistical difficulties bringing in witnesses for contested cases. He said the bill’s fiscal note shows “no impact on the state's general fund.”
A committee member moved to introduce the measure and the motion passed by voice vote; the committee did not record individual yes or no votes in the transcript.
The committee did not debate policy details or legal authority beyond the sponsor’s explanation and did not adopt amendments at the Jan. 15 meeting. Scogg said the director, Brian Nichols, would appear at the regular hearing if the committee prints the bill.
The committee then proceeded to other agenda items.
