Florida House of Representatives Ex Rel. Kriseman v. Expedia, Inc.

The issue before the court is whether a member of the Florida House of Representatives and his aide are entitled to claim legislative privilege as a ground for refusing to testify in a civil case. A legislative privilege existed under the common law, and we conclude that it continues to apply in Florida by general legislation adopting the common law. We also conclude that a legislative privilege is implicit in the separation of powers provision of the Florida Constitution. Because the testimony to be given in this case is within the scope of the privilege, we hold that the subpoenas at issue…