“It will be the duty of each committee to inquire into the condition and administration of the laws relating to the subjects which it has in its charge; to investigate the conduct and look to the responsibility of all public officers and agents concerned; and to suggest such measures as will correct abuses, protect the public interests, and promote the public welfare” (House Rule 18).
“When the Senate or House of Delegates, a joint committee or commission thereof, or any committee of either house authorized to send for persons and papers, shall order the attendance of any witness, or the production of any paper as evidence, a summons shall be issued accordingly by the clerk of such house, directed to the sheriff or other officer of any county or city, or the chief officer of the Virginia Capitol Police, or his designee, and, when served, obedience thereto may be enforced by attachment, fine and imprisonment in jail, at the discretion of the house which, or the committee of which, caused the summons to issue, or in the case of a joint committee or commission, at the discretion of such joint committee or commission or as the two houses may determine by joint resolution” (Code of Virginia § 30-10).
