CORRECT ANSWER:

YES, because the interim committee meeting at which the legislator made the allegedly defamatory statements was an official legislative proceeding, the legislator was acting within the "sphere of legitimate legislative activity" and cannot be found liable for the statement in a civil lawsuit is CORRECT.

Statements made during a legislative committee meeting almost always fall within the "sphere of legitimate legislative activity," and legislative immunity protects a legislator who makes such a statement from being held liable for the statement in a civil lawsuit.

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