Iowa Code Title XI. Natural Resources [Chs. 455-485] § 458A.12. Summoning witnesses, administering oaths, requiring production of records--hearing examiners appointed

1. The department may summon witnesses, administer oaths, and require the production of records, books, and documents for examination at any hearing or investigation conducted. A person shall not be excused from attending and testifying, or from producing books, papers, and records before the department or a court, or from obedience to the subpoena of the department or a court, on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of the person may tend to incriminate the person or subject the person to a penalty or forfeiture. However this subsection does not require a person to produce any books, papers, or records, or to testify in response to any inquiry not pertinent to some question lawfully before the department or court for determination. A natural person is not subject to criminal prosecution or to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which, in spite of objections, the person may be required to testify or produce as evidence, documentary or otherwise, before the department or court, or in obedience to subpoena. However, a person testifying shall not be exempted from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying.

2. In case of failure or refusal on the part of any person to comply with the subpoena issued by the department, or in case of the refusal of any witness to testify as to any matter regarding which the witness may be interrogated, any court in the state, upon the application of the department, may issue an attachment for the person and compel the person to comply with the subpoena, and to attend before the department and produce the records, books, and documents for examination, and to give testimony. The courts may punish for contempt as in the case of disobedience to a like subpoena issued by the court, or for refusal to testify.

3. The department may appoint a hearing examiner or examiners to conduct hearings required by this chapter. When appointed, the hearing examiner may exercise all of the powers delegated to the department by this section.