ORS 171.522 Judicial enforcement of legislative process; order; service

Whenever a person summoned as provided in ORS 171.510 fails to appear to testify or fails to produce any books, papers, records or documents as required, or whenever any person so summoned refuses to answer any question pertinent to the subject under inquiry before either house, any statutory committee, any standing committee of either house, or any special or interim committee created by both houses, the house or committee, in lieu of proceeding under ORS 171.520, may apply to the circuit court for the county in which the failure occurred for an order to the person to attend and testify, or otherwise to comply with the demand or request of the house or committee.

The application to the court shall be by ex parte motion upon which the court shall make an order requiring the person against whom it is directed to comply with the demand or request of the house or committee within three days after service of the order, or within such further time as the court may grant, or to justify the failure within that time.

The order shall be served upon the person to whom it is directed in the manner required by this state for service of process, which service is required to confer jurisdiction upon the court. Failure to obey an order issued by the court under this section is contempt of court.

This section does not affect the exercise of the powers of either house under section 16, Article IV, Oregon Constitution.