25-4163. Same; rights of respondent; hearing procedure; compulsory process; hearings to be public. (a) After a verified complaint alleging violation of a provision of the campaign finance act has been filed with the commission, the respondent shall be entitled to examine and make copies of all evidence in the possession of the commission relating to the complaint, including the transcript of the hearing, if any. If a hearing is to be held pursuant to K.S.A. 25-4161, the commission, before the hearing has commenced, shall issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum at the request of any party. Any hearing held under K.S.A. 25-4161, may be conducted and held by a subcommittee of not less than five members of the commission, of whom not more than a majority shall be of the same political party. Final determination of all complaints shall be made by the commission as a whole. The chairperson of the commission or other member presiding over the commission or the presiding member of any subcommittee of the commission shall have the power to: (1) Administer oaths and affirmations; and (2) compel, by subpoena, the attendance of witnesses and the production of pertinent books, papers and documents. Witnesses shall be entitled to receive fees and mileage as provided by law for witnesses in civil actions, which shall be paid out of appropriations to the commission. Depositions may be taken and used in the same manner as in civil actions. Any person subpoenaed to appear and give testimony or to produce books, papers or documents, who fails or refuses to appear or to produce such books, papers or documents, or any person, having been sworn to testify, who refuses to answer any proper question, may be cited for contempt of the district court of Shawnee county, Kansas. The commission shall report to such court the facts relating to any such contempt. Thereupon proceedings before such court shall be had as in cases of other civil contempt.

(b) At every hearing held by the commission: (1) Oral evidence shall be taken only on oath or affirmation.

(2) Each party shall have the right to be represented by legal counsel, to call and examine witnesses, to introduce evidence and to cross-examine opposing witnesses.

(c) All hearings shall be open to the public.

History: L. 1981, ch. 171, § 22; L. 1990, ch. 306, § 9; May 31.

Source or Prior Law:

25-4124.