The Louisiana Senate, acting as the Committee on Discipline and Expulsion, met Wednesday to authorize the use of subpoenas and the introduction of evidence in the hearing for Troy Brown.
Brown, a senator representing Assumption Parish, pleaded no contest in two cases involving domestic abuse.
Each house of the legislature has the right to punish its members for “disorderly conduct and contempt.” A senator has not been removed from office since 1981.
Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, and Sharon Hewitt, R-Chalmette, have filed a motion to expel Brown permanently. 
Yvonne Colomb, D-Baton Rouge, has filed a competing resolution that would suspend Brown for six weeks. 
The senate will meet again as the committee on Monday, and could determine Brown’s future for good.