In the preparation and conduct of hearings, the department has the power to require the attendance and testimony of any witness, the production of any papers or books, may sign and issue subpoenas, administer oaths and examine witnesses, and take any evidence it considers pertinent to the determination of the matter, and any witnesses so subpoenaed shall be entitled to the same fees and mileage as prescribed by law in judicial proceedings in the district court of this state in civil action, but the payment of fees and mileage must be out of, and kept within the limits of, the funds created from license fees authorized in this chapter. The party against whom the matter may be pending shall have the right to obtain a subpoena from the department for any witnesses he may desire at the hearing, and depositions may be taken as in civil court cases in the district court. Any information obtained from the books and records of the person complained against may not be used against him as the basis for a criminal prosecution under the laws of this state.