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No state legislator has ever been forced to testify in court about their legislative decision making, but that didn’t stop the Florida House Judiciary Committee from passing legislation giving lawmakers blanket immunity. Democrats found the legislation troubling because a constitutional amendment on fair districts says lawmakers can not “intend” to favor an incumbent or party. Representative Richard Steinberg of Miami says voters made their intent clear but it isn’t being followed. “Not to continue drawing maps that heavily favor one party over the other, Not to engage in incumbency protection. We have told them even thought they told us that can’t be our intent, you have to just believe what we save publicly, never ask us what we said privately, Can never ask us what we directed staff to do,” Steinberg told the committee.

Legislative staff who testify on intent would be breaking the law. The House’s lawyer on redistricting sat in the audience during the debate. And the League of Women Voters opposed the legislation saying the legislature is telling the people of Florida their decisions are none of the public’s business.