Kansas House Bill HB2799

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/16/26

Caption

Requiring all persons appearing before any committee of the Kansas legislature to take an oath prior to giving testimony.

Summary

HB2799 would require every person who testifies before any committee of the Kansas Legislature to first take an oath. The oath would be the form already prescribed in Kansas law under K.S.A. 54-101 et seq., and the committee chair would be responsible for administering the oath and ensuring that it is recorded in the committee minutes. In practical terms, the bill adds a formal sworn-testimony requirement to legislative committee proceedings. It applies broadly to all witnesses appearing before House or Senate committees, including members of the public, advocates, lobbyists, agency officials, and other invited speakers, and it would take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Impact

The bill would amend legislative procedure by imposing a new legal requirement on committee testimony in the Kansas Legislature. It does not create a new criminal or regulatory program, but it would change how committees conduct hearings by requiring chairs to administer and document oaths before testimony is received. The main affected parties would be legislative committees, committee chairs, and anyone appearing to testify before them, who would now be subject to the legal consequences of sworn statements under existing Kansas oath law.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the available record does not show a documented partisan or public reaction. The measure appears to reflect a procedural or accountability-focused approach, suggesting support from those who favor formalizing testimony and ensuring truthfulness in legislative hearings. At the same time, the lack of discussion means there is no clear evidence of opposition or broad consensus in the materials provided.

Contention

The main point of contention would likely be whether requiring an oath for all committee witnesses is necessary or burdensome. Supporters may view it as a way to improve honesty and accountability in legislative proceedings, while critics could argue that it adds formality, slows hearings, or may be unnecessary for routine informational testimony. Another possible issue is the breadth of the requirement, since it applies to all persons testifying before all committees, without exceptions described in the bill text.