Sec. 511.010.  GATHERING OF INFORMATION.  (a)  The commission shall be granted access at any reasonable time to a county jail and to books, records, and data relating to a county jail that the commission or executive director considers necessary to administer the commission's functions, powers, and duties.
(b)  The county commissioners and sheriff of each county shall furnish the commission, a member of the commission, the executive director, or an employee designated by the executive director any information that the requesting person states is necessary for the commission to:
(1)  discharge its functions, powers, and duties;
(2)  determine whether the commission's rules are being observed or whether its orders are being obeyed;  and
(3)  otherwise implement this chapter.
(c)  To carry out its functions, powers, and duties, the commission may:
(1)  issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum to compel attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records, and documents;
(2)  administer oaths;  and
(3)  take testimony concerning all matters within its jurisdiction.
(d)  The commission is not bound by strict rules of evidence or procedure in the conduct of its proceedings, but its determinations must be founded on sufficient legal evidence.
(e)  The commission may delegate to the executive director the authority conferred by this section.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 212, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.