This bill introduces a new section to RSA 642, specifically addressing contempt of the general court. It establishes criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly fail to comply with subpoenas issued by either house of the general court or refuse to answer questions pertinent to inquiries. Such actions, if found to be in contempt by a majority vote of the respective chamber or joint committee, will be classified as a misdemeanor, with prosecutions initiated exclusively by the Department of Justice in the superior court for Merrimack County. Additionally, the bill provides for civil remedies, allowing the court to compel compliance with subpoenas and impose sanctions, including fines or incarceration, for non-compliance.

The bill also clarifies that it does not limit the inherent constitutional powers of either house of the general court to enforce compliance or punish non-compliance. The effective date for this act is set for January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect the judicial and correctional systems, potentially influencing costs related to prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole for state, county, and local governments.