The president of the senate, the speaker of the general assembly and the chairman of a committee of the whole, or of any select or standing committee of either house of the legislature, are respectively empowered to administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses, in any matter or case under their examination; and any person who shall willfully or corruptly swear or affirm falsely touching any matter or thing material to the point in question, whereto he shall be thus examined, shall be deemed guilty of perjury and punished accordingly.
N.J.S. § 41:2-2