CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Any person testifying before a House of Delegates committee will now have to be sworn in before speaking.
The House of Delegates changed House Rule 84a Wednesday to give committees authority to place witnesses under oath.
“We want to make sure all testimony before our committees is truthful and accurate, and placing those offering such testimony under oath – just as they do in Congress or our courts – will help ensure that,” said House Speaker Tim Armstead (R-Kanawha) in a statement.
“Committee members make decisions every day on bills that affect our citizens, and we want to make sure those decisions are based on accurate information.”
The rule previously gave committees authority to place witnesses under oath, it did not require it. The new change now makes this mandatory.
The swearing-in rule does not apply to public hearings.