The department of revenue shall have access to all books, papers, documents, statements, and accounts on file or of record in any of the departments of the state; and it shall have the power to issue subpoenas, signed by the director of the department or any duly authorized employee and served in a like manner as a subpoena issued from courts of record, to compel witnesses to appear and give evidence and to produce books and papers. The director of the department or any employee officially designated by the department is authorized to administer oaths to witnesses. The attendance of any witness may be compelled by attachment issued out of any superior court upon application to said court by the director or any duly authorized employee of the department, upon a proper showing that such witness has been duly served with a subpoena and has refused to appear before the said department. In case of the refusal of a witness to produce books, papers, documents, or accounts, or to give evidence on matters material to the hearing, the department may institute proceedings in the proper superior court to compel such witness to testify or to produce such books or papers, and to punish him or her for such failure or refusal. All process issued by the department shall be served by the sheriff of the proper county or by a duly authorized agent of the department and such service, if made by the sheriff, shall be certified by him or her to the department of revenue without any compensation therefor. Persons appearing before the department in obedience to a subpoena shall receive the same compensation as witnesses in the superior court. The records, books, accounts, and papers of each company shall be subject to visitation, investigation, or examination by the department, or any employee thereof officially designated by the department. All real and/or personal property of any company shall be subject to visitation, investigation, examination, and/or listing at any and all times by the department, or any person officially designated by the director.

Construction—Severability—1975 1st ex.s. c 278: See notes following RCW 11.08.160.