legislative subpoena; perjury; refusal; contempt

Plain English: This amendment changes the rules for legislative subpoenas by requiring witnesses to take an oath, protecting their testimony from being used in criminal trials unless they lie or tamper with evidence, and updating how lawmakers can punish people who refuse to follow a subpoena.

• All testimony given during these investigations must be sworn under penalty of perjury (lying under oath).
• Witnesses cannot have their testimony used against them in criminal court unless they commit crimes like lying, false swearing, or tampering with evidence while testifying.
• Lawmakers can punish a witness for contempt only after giving the person notice and a chance to explain why they did not follow the subpoena rules.
• The amendment updates who is allowed to arrest witnesses who refuse to appear, specifying that the sergeant-at-arms may do so based on specific signed orders.

• Some parts of the text are very technical and describe legal procedures for signing documents or committee votes that are hard to explain simply without more context.
• The amendment mentions following 'rules of either house' but does not list what those specific rules say.

Plain English: This amendment changes the rules for legislative subpoenas by requiring a hearing before punishing witnesses, limiting who can arrest them to the sergeant-at-arms only, and clarifying that testimony given under these laws cannot be used in criminal trials.

• Witnesses must receive notice and have an opportunity for a hearing to explain why they did not follow a subpoena order before being punished for contempt.
• Only the legislative sergeant-at-arms is authorized to arrest witnesses who refuse to appear, removing county sheriffs from this duty.
• Testimony given during these hearings cannot be used in criminal court cases against the witness, except if they committed perjury or lied under oath.

• The amendment mentions that other procedures might exist based on house rules, but does not list what those specific alternative steps are.
• Some parts of the text contain conflicting instructions about how documents should be signed and countersigned, making it unclear which version is final.

Plain English: Fifty-seventh Legislature Government Second Regular Session H.B.

• Fifty-seventh Legislature Government Second Regular Session H.B.
• 2745 COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.B.
• 2745 (Reference to House engrossed bill) The bill as proposed to be amended is reprinted as follows: 1 Section 1.
• Section 41-1153, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to 2 read: 3 41-1153.

Plain English: This amendment changes the rules for punishing witnesses who ignore legislative subpoenas by adding a new option to hold them in contempt through committee orders instead of only requiring full chamber votes.

• Witnesses can now be held in contempt if a committee chair or house leader issues an order after giving the witness notice and a chance to explain why they should not be punished.
• The amendment keeps the existing rule that allows the entire Senate or House of Representatives to hold witnesses in contempt by passing a resolution recorded in their official journal.

• The text does not specify what happens if there is no hearing, only stating it depends on the chairperson's discretion.
• Some parts of the amendment are written in all capital letters and brackets to show new additions, which makes the exact flow of the sentence slightly harder to read.

Plain English: Amendment explanation prepared by Anna Nguyen 04/08/2026 Bill Number: H.B.

• Amendment explanation prepared by Anna Nguyen 04/08/2026 Bill Number: H.B.
• 2745 Hoffman Floor Amendment Reference to: GOVERNMENT Committee amendment Amendment drafted by: Anna Nguyen FLOOR AMENDMENT EXPLANATION • Specifies that a committee chairperson may issue an order of contempt for neglecting or refusing to obey a legislative subpoena.
• Fifty-seventh Legislature Hoffman Second Regular Session H.B.
• 2745 HOFFMAN FLOOR AMENDMENT SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.B.