(a) Whenever it is necessary in connection with any of the powers and duties of the General Assembly of the State, the Senate or the House of Representatives may require the attendance of any resident of the State and may require any resident to produce any records or papers in the resident's possession located within the State by issuing subpoenas and any other necessary legal process.
(b) Any member of the General Assembly may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses in connection with any hearing or investigation conducted by the House of which such person is a member or a committee of which such person is a member.
(c) Whoever having been summoned as a witness as provided in subsection (a) of this section willfully makes default or whoever, having appeared, refuses to answer any question pertinent to the question under inquiry or whoever having possession of records required in a subpoena fails to produce the same shall be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 12 months, or both.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as a waiver by the General Assembly of its inherent right to issue subpoenas and to punish for contempt of the General Assembly without the intervention of a court.