Section 171.530 - Privilege of witness before legislative committee(1) The privilege of a witness who appears voluntarily or under subpoena before a committee of the Legislative Assembly in a matter within the jurisdiction of the committee is the same as that of a witness in judicial proceedings. A statement made by the witness before a legislative committee which is pertinent to the matter before the legislative committee is privileged and the witness shall not be subject to an action for civil damages as a result thereof unless the witness knowingly makes a false and immaterial statement for the purpose of defaming another.(2) As used in this section, "legislative committee" means a statutory, standing, special or interim committee of either or both houses, including a legislative task force, established by rule of either or both houses, by resolution or by law and whether or not all members of the legislative committee are also members of the Legislative Assembly.