(a) If in the discretion of the committee it is desirable to take the testimony of any witness without having the witness present, this may be done by reducing to writing the interrogatories to be proposed to the witness and forwarding them to any officer in this state authorized to administer oaths, and he or she is clothed with power and authorized to compel the attendance of the witness before him or her at a place to be by him or her designated by summons and attachment and to take the answer of the witness to the interrogatories, requiring the witness to subscribe and swear to the truthfulness of the interrogatories, which affidavit shall be certified by the officer.
(b) The usual fees allowed officers for taking depositions and witnesses for their attendance shall be allowed for the services authorized by this section, to be paid as other current expenses of the General Assembly. The fees shall not be demanded in advance.