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Contempt bill increasing subpoena penalties fails after floor debate on due process
Summary
A proposal to raise penalties for contempt of the Louisiana Legislature, including higher fines and possible jail time, failed on the House floor after lawmakers questioned the severity and due‑process implications; the bill was defeated 35–59.
Representative Sam Newell carried House Bill 705 to the floor, proposing stepped penalties for contempt of the legislature when a subpoenaed witness fails to appear or refuses to answer. The sponsor described new fines and preserved immediate arrest authority for noncompliance.
"The penalties for the first offense are $1,500. The penalties for the second offense is $2,500. And the penalty for the third offense is not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 6 months or both," Representative Newell said during floor explanation, summarizing the bill's tiers.
Members pressed on whether the measure preserved or expanded existing arrest authority. Representative Cruz asked whether the provision for immediate arrest remained in place and raised concerns about due process; Newell replied that the arrest provision was retained and that arraignment would occur in the member's parish.
Lawmakers debated an amendment that reduced the maximum fine for a third offense and required a jury trial for misdemeanor charges; the amendment was adopted. After extended questioning about potential constitutional and practical effects, the House voted on final passage. The bill failed, 35 yays to 59 nays, and did not become law.
There was no motion to send the measure back with different language during the session. The House record shows the vote tally as reported by the clerk on the floor.
