[§159-8]  Information, investigation,hearings.  For the purpose of enforcing this chapter, the board may:

(1)  Gather and compile information which relates tothe business operations of persons being regulated under this chapter and suchother information necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. Confidential information shall not be disclosed by the board except under orderof court.

(2)  Hold hearings, take testimony, administer oaths,subpoena witnesses and issue subpoenas for the production of records, ordocuments of any kind.  Upon failure or refusal of any witness to obey anysubpoena, the board may petition the circuit court, and upon proper showing,the court may enter an order compelling the witness to appear and testify orproduce documentary evidence.  Failure to obey the order of court shall bepunishable as a contempt of court.

No person shall be excused from attending andtestifying or from producing documentary evidence before the board in obedienceto a subpoena of the board on the ground or for the reason that the testimonyor evidence, documentary, or otherwise, required of the person may tend toincriminate the person or subject the person to a penalty or forfeiture; but noperson shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or onaccount of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which the person iscompelled, after having claimed the person's privilege of self-incrimination,to testify, or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, before the board inobedience to a subpoena issued by the board; provided that no person sotestifying shall be exempt from prosecution for perjury committed in sotestifying.

(3)  Request the attorney general to seek relief fromthe appropriate circuit courts for writs of mandamus commanding any person tocomply with this chapter or any order of the board made in pursuance thereof orto enjoin any violation of this chapter or any order of the board.

Witnesses summoned before the board shall bepaid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the circuit courts ofthe State, and witnesses whose depositions are taken and the persons takingthem shall severally be entitled to the same fees as are paid for like servicesin the courts. [L 1969, c 214, pt of §1; gen ch 1985]