(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as inconsistent with the continued reservation by each house of the general assembly of the right and purpose at all times directly to exercise, in all proper cases, all other powers necessary for a branch of the general assembly as expressly declared in article II, § 12 of the Constitution of Tennessee.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 3-3-124
Committee: as used in this chapter , except when more particularly provided in this chapter, includes:(1) A committee appointed by either the house of representatives or the senate. See Tennessee Code 3-3-101
Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Testify: Answer questions in court.
Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(b) Nor shall anything in this chapter be construed as inconsistent with the continued power and purpose of each house of the general assembly directly to deal with any matter of contempt intrinsic to the right of either house to preserve the means of discharging its legislative duties, when any person willfully fails and refuses to appear and testify regarding any matter under inquiry or investigation as provided and authorized by the direct action of either or both houses of the general assembly.(c) Nor shall anything in this chapter be construed as providing that any person who commits any contempt of either house of the general assembly, which, under the law, can be directly dealt with by either house for the purpose of enabling the house to perform its legislative duties, shall be imprisoned, as the result of the action of either house, or any committee of either or both houses of the general assembly, without indictment and court trial, for any term of imprisonment which shall extend beyond the session of the general assembly during which such imprisonment shall have been ordered.
