515 R.I. Code R. 10-00-2 § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.6
Subpoenas
Operative Text
A. Issuance of Subpoenas. Whenever in the discretion of the Commission it is deemed necessary to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production for examination of any books, papers, documents or tangible things relating to any matter under investigation or in question before the Commission, a Commissioner may issue a witness subpoena and/or subpoena for production of books, papers, documents or tangible things. B. Issuance to Parties. Upon written application of any party to a contested case, the Commission may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of books, papers, documents or tangible things in such proceeding. The Commission may require the person requesting the subpoena to show relevance and reasonable scope of the testimony or evidence sought. C. Service. Unless the service of a subpoena is acknowledged by the person subpoenaed or their attorney, service shall be made by delivering a copy of the subpoena to such person and by tendering them on demand the fees for one day's attendance and mileage, if any, allowed or required by law. When the subpoena is issued on behalf of the Commission or any state officer or agency, fees and mileage need not be tendered. D. Proof of Service. The person serving the subpoena shall make proof of service by filing the subpoena and the required return with the Commission. Service may be made by any person authorized to serve subpoenas under the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure. If service is made by a person other than a member or employee of the Commission, and such service has not been acknowledged by the witness, such person shall make an affidavit of service. Failure to make proof of service does not affect the validity of the service. E. Compliance and Quashing. The Commission, a Commissioner or a member of the Commission staff may accept subpoenaed documents at the time when a person complies with a subpoena. At the time when a subpoenaed witness or document must be produced, the person under subpoena may submit a written motion to quash the subpoena to the Commission or a member of the Commission staff which motion shall be transmitted to a Commissioner. Upon a motion to quash, made promptly, and in any event, at or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance by the person to whom the subpoena is directed (and upon notice to the party for whom the subpoena is issued) a Commissioner may: 1. quash or modify the subpoena if it is unreasonable or requires evidence not relevant to any matter in issue; and/or, 2. condition the denial upon just and reasonable conditions. F. Filing Subpoenas with Commission. Subpoenas required to be filed with the Commission shall be deemed filed upon actual receipt by the Commission, including Commission staff members at the Commission office. G. Failure to Obey Subpoena. On the failure of any person to obey a subpoena issued at the instance of the Commission, the Commission may make application to the Superior Court for an order for such person to show cause why they shall not be held in contempt and such further relief as may be appropriate.
Section 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.6 establishes the Rhode Island Commission's authority to issue subpoenas compelling witnesses to appear or requiring the production of documents and other materials in matters under its review. The rule covers how subpoenas are issued—either on the Commission's own initiative or at a party's written request in a contested case—and sets out the procedures for serving, filing, and if necessary, challenging those subpoenas. A person who receives a subpoena may file a written motion to quash it, and if someone fails to comply, the Commission may seek a contempt order from the Superior Court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers involved in a proceeding before the Rhode Island Commission should be aware that under § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.6, the Commission has broad authority to compel the production of books, papers, and documents relevant to any matter it is examining. Operators who receive a subpoena are generally expected to comply by the date specified or to file a timely written motion to quash if they believe the subpoena is unreasonable or seeks irrelevant material. Maintaining organized records and understanding the service and filing requirements outlined in this section are practices consistent with operating in a regulated environment.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who are parties to a contested case before the Rhode Island Commission may, under § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.6, submit a written application asking the Commission to issue a subpoena to compel witnesses to testify or to require the production of documents relevant to their proceeding. If a tenant receives a subpoena, the rule provides a process to challenge it by filing a written motion to quash before or at the time compliance is required. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid resources can help explain how these procedural tools work in the context of a specific Commission proceeding.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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