New state Senate committee has subpoena power

HONOLULU — The state Senate has created a new Senate Special Investigating Committee on COVID-19 with subpoena power.

This new investigative committee will supplement, if necessary, the existing, informal, Senate Special Committee on COVID-19. The addition of this new investigative committee will give the Senate the greatest flexibility to obtain the information it needs, according to a press release.

The investigating committee will give the Senate legal authority to mandate a response from witnesses, and compel records. The committee may also administer oaths and report instances of contempt. The subjects of the inquiries will be entitled to legal representation and will have the ability to legally challenge requests.

Hearings will continue to be televised live on ‘Olelo on O‘ahu, Akaku on Maui, Na Leo o Hawaiʻi Island, and Ho‘ike Community Television on Kaua‘i, and streamed live on the internet. The committee will issue written reports and recommendations to the Senate.

The Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 was established on March l8 to review the state’s response to the pandemic, and the Senate Investigating Special Committee on COVID-19 was created this week by Senate Resolution 198. The members of both committees are Sens. Donovan Dela Cruz, Jarrett Keohokalole, Michelle N. Kidani, Donna Mercado Kim, Sharon Moriwaki and Kurt Fevella.