Florida House Kills Lawmaker Immunity Bill
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami) – The Florida House of Representatives has killed a controversial bill that would have granted state lawmakers absolute immunity in civil lawsuits.
The move by House Speaker Dean Cannon came just hours after Senate president-designate Don Gaetz said he would not support the bill. Gaetz said the bill wasn't needed as there were already sufficient and substantial legal protections for lawmakers.
House Republicans defended the legislation defended the bill and said it would have given "legislative privilege" to all current and former lawmakers and staff.
Democrats accused Republicans in the legislature of trying to protect themselves from civil lawsuits dealing with controversial redistricting plans that have been passed by the legislature.
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