Bill Text: GA HB90 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: General Assembly; standing and special committees; witnesses under oath; provide

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-01-16 - House Second Readers [HB90 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB90-Introduced.html

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09 LC 28 4441

House Bill 90

By: Representatives Powell of the 29th, Bearden of the 68th, and Levitas of the 82nd

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions concerning the General Assembly, so as to provide that each house of the General Assembly may by rule authorize the standing and special committees and subcommittees of that house to place witnesses under oath who come before such committees and subcommittees and present testimony; to provide penalties for false testimony before such committees and subcommittees; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions concerning the General Assembly, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"28-1-18.

(a) Each house of the General Assembly may by rule authorize the presiding officer of each standing and special committee and subcommittee of such house to administer an oath to persons testifying before such committee or subcommittee for such person to swear or affirm that such person shall testify truthfully. Each house may adopt by rule such procedures and requirements as the house deems appropriate for placing witnesses under oath.

(b)(1) A person to whom a lawful oath or affirmation has been administered commits the offense of false testimony before the General Assembly when, in testifying before a committee or subcommittee of the Senate or the House of Representatives, such person knowingly and willfully makes a false statement material to the issue or point in question.

(2) A person convicted of the offense of false testimony before the General Assembly shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten years, or both."

SECTION 2.

This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.