Sec. 12.002.  CERTAIN PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATIONS.  (a)  The commissioner or the commissioner's designee may administer oaths, summon witnesses, and compel the attendance of witnesses in any matter proper for investigation by the department, subject to the executive commissioner's oversight, including the determination of nuisances and the investigation of:
(1)  public water supplies;
(2)  sanitary conditions;
(3)  the existence of infection; or
(4)  any matter that requires the department to exercise its discretionary powers and that is within the general scope of its authority under this subchapter.
(b)  Each district court shall aid the department in its investigations and in compelling compliance with this subchapter.  If a witness summoned by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee is disobedient or disrespectful to the department's lawful authority, the district court of the county in which the witness is summoned to appear shall punish the witness in the manner provided for contempt of court.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by: 
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0010, eff. April 2, 2015.