Legislators will require testimony to be sworn at upcoming Sunset Committee meetings.
State Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile), co-chair of the Sunset Committee, said at a work session on Wednesday, "I have other committees that are very interested in this process, standing committees and others, that feel like that they want to make sure that people know that we want the truth."
The Sunset Committee is comprised of members of the House and Senate who oversee the finances and actions of the various occupational and industry licensing boards. The committee is set to begin a series of meetings on Thursday. Decisions by the board in recent years have resulted in boards being combined with other boards or significantly changed.
"We feel like that in the past some people have made remarks that were not truthful. I personally feel like some people were given a script and told us things that they were told to tell us that they did not actually know for a fact themselves. In other words, they were given a script (and told,) 'Stand up, say this.' In all credit to them, they're volunteers, they're nervous, but it's so very important that we get accurate and truthful information that I would propose that we swear in anybody that is going to give a statement to us and make sure that they know that we're wanting only truthful and firsthand knowledge information that they impart to us," Wilcox said.
"Unless I hear anyone objecting, that's my plan tomorrow, and I plan on using this beautiful Bible that I was gifted last year. I have a statement that we've had our resident attorney look over. I had this brought up by the clerk, and we just have a couple changes where I'll be saying, 'Do you swear or affirm that the statements you're about to give to the Sunset Committee in this matter shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?' If they don't believe in God, they can just affirm that this is a truthful statement, their solemn affirmation. We're going to start holding people accountable for untruthful comments or rhetoric or just flat-out fibs and lies."
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