§ 1-4. Committee on Legislative Investigations.
(a) Committee established.
A standing committee of the City Council is established, to be known as the Committee on Legislative Investigations.
(b) Composition.
(1) The Committee comprises 5 Councilmembers, to be appointed from time to time by the Council President, with the approval of the City Council.
(2) The President, with the approval of the Council, shall designate 1 member as the Committee’s Chair and another member as the Committee’s Vice-Chair.
(c) General functions.
On its own motion or at the request of any person, the Committee may:
(1) study the continuing operations, efficiency, and functions of the several departments, bureaus, commissions, boards, and agencies of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore; and
(2) investigate complaints or allegations of faulty operations, inefficiency, or malfunctioning in any of these departments, bureaus, commissions, boards, and agencies.
(d) Oaths and subpoenas.
(1) In undertaking any study or investigation under this section, the Committee may:
(i) on motion approved by a majority of its members, issue subpoenas:
(A) to compel the attendance of witnesses;
(B) to compel the production of any relevant papers, books, accounts, records, documents, and testimony; and
(C) to cause the deposition of witnesses to be taken, in the manner provided by law for taking depositions in a civil case; and
(ii) administer oaths to all witnesses.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, papers, books, accounts, records, documents, and testimony are considered relevant if they:
(i) refer or relate to the matters under study or investigation;
(ii) assist in assessing the credibility of a witness;
(iii) contradict or corroborate the testimony of a witness; or
(iv) demonstrate the existence of undue influence on a witness.
(e) Service of subpoena.
A subpoena issued under this section shall be served:
(1) in the manner provided by law for service of a subpoena in a civil action;
(2) at least 10 calendar days before the time that the subpoena sets for attendance or for the production of papers, books, accounts, records, or documents; and
(3) with the following:
(i) a statement of the subject of the study or investigation to which the subpoena relates;
(ii) if the subpoena requires the appearance of a person, notice that the person may be accompanied by counsel; and
(iii) a copy of this section and of any rules adopted by the Committee under this section.
(f) Enforcement of oaths and subpoenas.
(1) If a person subpoenaed under this section fails to comply with the subpoena or fails to testify on any matter on which the person may be lawfully interrogated:
(i) the Committee may petition the Circuit Court of Baltimore City to order compliance with the subpoena; and
(ii) on petition, the Court may:
(A) pass an order directing compliance with the subpoena or compelling testimony; and
(B) enforce its order by proceedings for contempt.
(2) False swearing by a witness before the Committee is subject to the penalties of perjury.
(g) Committee rules.
(1) The Committee may adopt rules to govern its procedures under this section, including the conduct of hearings under this section.
(2) These rules may not be inconsistent with the provisions of this section or of any other applicable law.
(h) Reports and recommendations.
On completion of a study or investigation under this section, the Committee shall report to the members of the City Council, the Mayor, and the Board of Estimates:
(1) the results of that study or investigation; and
(2) any recommendations it may have for:
(i) the more effective operation of any of these departments, bureaus, commissions, boards, and agencies;
(ii) legislative, administrative, and budgetary improvements; and
(iii) if the Committee has reasonable grounds to believe that a criminal offense has been committed, referral to the appropriate prosecuting authority.
(Ord. 14-307; Ord. 14-213; Ord. 66-818.)
