TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - House leadership has killed a proposal
that would have allowed state lawmakers to wrap themselves in
absolute immunity from having to testify in civil lawsuits.
      House Speaker Dean Cannon and rules panel chairman Gary Aubuchon
on Monday said that chamber was giving up on the measure (PCB JDC
12-03) after the Senate president-designate said he wouldn't
support it when it comes to his chamber.
      But top House Republicans continued to defend the legislation.
They even said it had been drawn up in "coordination" with Senate
leaders. It would have given a "legislative privilege" to all
current and former lawmakers and staff.
      Sen. Don Gaetz on Monday said he opposed it because there's
already "sufficient and substantial legal protection against
intrusive deposition of legislators in matters of public policy."
     

     
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