Texas Laws | Alcoholic Beverage Code (1) issue subpoenas; (366) (2) compel the attendance of witnesses; (367) (3) administer oaths; (368) (4) certify to official acts; (369) (5) take depositions inside or outside the state, as provided by law; (370) (6) compel the production of pertinent books, accounts, records, documents, and testimony; and (371) (7) certify to copies of documents as being true copies on file in the official records of the commission. (372) (b) If a witness in attendance before the commission or before an authorized representative refuses without reasonable cause to be examined or answer a legal or pertinent question, or to produce a book, record, or paper when ordered by the commission to do so, the commission may apply to the district court for a rule or order returnable in not less than two nor more than five days, directing the witness to show cause before the judge why he should not be punished for contempt. The commission may apply to the district court of any county where the witness is in attendance, on proof by affidavit of the fact, unless the order of contempt is sought under Chapter 2001, Government Code, in which case the commission shall apply to a district court of Travis County in conformity with that Act. On return of the order, the judge hearing the matter shall examine the witness under oath, and the witness shall be given an opportunity to be heard. If the judge determines that the witness has refused, without reasonable cause or legal excuse, to be examined or answer a legal or pertinent question, or to produce a book, record, or paper which he was ordered to bring or produce, he may forthwith punish the offender as for contempt of court. (373) (c) Subpoenas are served and witness fees and mileage paid as in civil cases in the district court in the county to which the witness is called, unless the proceeding for which the service or payment is made is pursuant to Chapter 2001, Government Code, in which case the service or payment shall be made as provided in that Act. Witnesses subpoenaed at the instance of the commission shall be paid their fees and mileage by the commission out of funds appropriated for that purpose. (374) Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 401, ch. 194, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1970, ch. 777, Sec. 15, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(49), eff. Sept. 1, 1995. (375) Sec. 5.441. FEES AND EXPENSES PAID MEMBERS OR EMPLOYEES OF COMMISSION. (376)(Text)(a) If a member of the commission, the administrator, or an employee of the commission is called to attend a federal or state judicial proceeding inside or outside the state and the attendance relates to the individual's duties with the commission, the individual shall pay to the comptroller any witness fees he receives. The comptroller shall deposit the fees in the state treasury to the credit of an appropriation made to the commission for payment of fees and mileage of witnesses called by the commission. (377) (b) An employee of the commission who travels inside or outside the state on official business as the designated representative of the administrator is entitled to reimbursement for meals, lodging, and travel at the same rate as is applicable to members of the commission. (378) Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1971, ch. 777, Sec. 16, eff. Aug. 27, 1979. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. (379) Sec. 5.45. PROOF OF DOCUMENT. (380)(Text)(a) In a suit by the state or the commission or in which either is a party, a transcript from the papers, books, records, or proceedings of the commission purporting to contain a true statement of accounts between the commission or the state and any person, or a copy of a rule, order, audit, bond, contract, or other instrument relating to a transaction between the commission and a person, when certified by the administrator or chairman of the commission to be a true copy of the original on file with the commission and authenticated under the seal of the commission, is admissible as prima facie evidence of the existence and validity of the original document and entitled to the same credibility as the original document. If a suit is brought on a bond or other written instrument, and the person alleged to have executed the instrument denies by a sworn pleading to have executed the instrument, the court shall require the production and proof of the instrument. (381) (b) A member of the commission or the administrator may execute a certificate under the seal of the commission setting forth the terms of an order, rule, bond, or other instrument referred to in this section. In the case of an order or rule, the certificate may state that the order or rule was adopted, promulgated, and published and filed with the commission and was in force at any date or during any period of time. In the case of a bond or other instrument, the certificate may state that it was executed and filed with the commission and was in force at any date or during any period of time. The certificate is prima facie evidence of the facts stated in it and is admissible as evidence in any action, civil or criminal, involving the facts contained in the certificate without further proof of those facts. (382) |
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