Montana § 2-4-104 - Subpoenas And Enforcement -- Compelling Testimony

§ 2-4-104. Subpoenas And Enforcement -- Compelling Testimony

Subpoenas and enforcement -- compelling testimony. (1) An agency conducting any proceeding subject to this chapter may require the furnishing of information, the attendance of witnesses, and the production of books, records, papers, documents, and other objects that may be necessary and proper for the purposes of the proceeding. In furtherance of this power, an agency upon its own motion may and, upon request of any party appearing in a contested case, shall issue subpoenas for witnesses or subpoenas duces tecum. The method for service of subpoenas, witness fees, and mileage must be the same as required in civil actions in the district courts of the state. Except as otherwise provided by statute, witness fees and mileage must be paid by the party at whose request the subpoena was issued. (2) In case of disobedience of any subpoena issued and served under this section or of the refusal of any witness to testify as to any material matter with regard to which the witness may be interrogated in a proceeding before the agency, the agency may apply to any district court in the state for an order to compel compliance with the subpoena or the giving of testimony. If the agency fails or refuses to seek enforcement of a subpoena issued at the request of a party or to compel the giving of testimony considered material by a party, the party may make an application to the district court. The court shall hear the matter as expeditiously as possible. If the disobedience or refusal is found to be unjustified, the court shall enter an order requiring compliance. Disobedience of the order must be punishable by contempt of court in the same manner and by the same procedures as is provided for similar conduct committed in the course of civil actions in district courts. If another method of subpoena enforcement or compelling testimony is provided by statute, it may be used as an alternative to the method provided for in this section.