Iowa Code r. 661-401.303 - Subpoenas in a contested case

Pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.13, subsection 1, the board or the presiding officer acting on behalf of the board has the authority to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses at depositions or hearings and to compel the production of professional records, books, papers, correspondence and other records which are deemed necessary as evidence in connection with a contested case. A subpoena issued in a contested case under the board's authority may seek evidence whether or not privileged or confidential under law.

(1) The board chair shall, upon the written request of the applicant or the state, issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of witnesses or to obtain evidence which is deemed necessary in connection with a contested case. A command to produce evidence may be joined with a command to appear at deposition or hearing or may be issued separately.

(2) A request for a subpoena shall include the following information, as applicable, unless the subpoena is requested to compel testimony or documents for rebuttal or impeachment purposes:

a. The name, address and telephone number of the person requesting the subpoena;

b. The name and address of the person to whom the subpoena shall be directed;

c. The date, time, and location at which the person shall be commanded to attend and give testimony;

d. Whether the testimony is requested in connection with a deposition or hearing;

e. A description of the books, papers, records or other evidence requested;

f. The date, time and location for production, or inspection and copying.

(3) Each subpoena shall contain, as applicable:

a. The caption of the case;

b. The name, address and telephone number of the person who requested the subpoena;

c. The name and address of the person to whom the subpoena is directed;

d. The date, time, and location at which the person is commanded to appear;

e. Whether the testimony is commanded in connection with a deposition or hearing;

f. A description of the books, papers, records or other evidence the person is commanded to produce;

g. The date, time and location for production, or inspection and copying;

h. The time within which a motion to quash or modify the subpoena must be filed;

i. The signature, address and telephone number of the board administrator or designee;

j. The date of issuance;

k. A return of service attached to the subpoena.

(4) Unless a subpoena is requested to compel testimony or documents for rebuttal or impeachment purposes, the board administrator or designee shall mail copies of all subpoenas to the parties to the contested case. The person who requested the subpoena is responsible for serving the subpoena upon the subject of the subpoena.

(5) Any person who is aggrieved or adversely affected by compliance with the subpoena or any party to the contested case who desires to challenge the subpoena must, within 14 days after service of the subpoena, or before the time specified for compliance if such time is less than 14 days, file with the board a motion to quash or modify the subpoena. The motion shall describe the legal reasons why the subpoena should be quashed or modified, and may be accompanied by legal briefs or factual affidavits.

(6) Upon receipt of a timely motion to quash or modify a subpoena, the board chair shall request an administrative law judge to hold a hearing and issue a decision. Oral argument may be scheduled at the discretion of the board or the administrative law judge. The administrative law judge may quash or modify the subpoena or deny the motion.

(7) A person aggrieved by a ruling of an administrative law judge who desires to challenge that ruling must appeal the ruling to the board by serving on the board's secretary, either in person or by certified mail, a notice of appeal within ten days after service of the decision of the administrative law judge. If the decision of the administrative law judge to quash or modify the subpoena or to deny the motion to quash or modify the subpoena is appealed to the board, the board may uphold or overturn the decision of the administrative law judge.

(8) If the person contesting the subpoena is not the member whose application for benefits is the subject of the contested case, the board's decision is final for purposes of judicial review. If the person contesting the subpoena is the member whose application for benefits is the subject of the contested case, the board's decision is not final for purposes of judicial review until there is a final decision in the contested case.

Notes

Iowa Code r. 661-401.303