Bill > S7

This bill proposes to amend the Massachusetts constitution to establish an independent redistricting commission. The key provisions are: - The commission will be responsible for drawing congressional, state representative, state senate, and governor's council districts every 10 years based on the federal census, with the goal of creating districts that are equal in population, contiguous, and do not dilute the voting strength of any group based on race, ethnicity, language minority status, or political party affiliation. - The commission will be composed of members appointed by the governor, attorney general, and secretary of the commonwealth, as well as nominees selected by the legislative leadership. The commissioners must be diverse, have relevant expertise, and be independent from elected office. - The commission's redistricting plans will go through a public review process and require approval by a special joint legislative committee and the full state legislature before becoming law. The state supreme court will have original jurisdiction to review the districts. - The bill aims to establish a fair, transparent, and nonpartisan redistricting process to ensure representative districts are drawn in the best interests of the public, rather than for political gain.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S7