Bill > HJR1001

This joint resolution is a proposed constitutional amendment to establish the Arkansas Citizens' Redistricting Commission, which would replace the current Board of Apportionment and fundamentally change how legislative and congressional districts are drawn in the state. The proposed commission would consist of nine commissioners, selected through a complex process that ensures representation from different political parties and geographic regions. Commissioners would be chosen by a panel of retired judges, with strict eligibility requirements to prevent political insiders from serving. The commission would be responsible for creating district maps for the U.S. House of Representatives and the state legislature, with a mandate to create maps that are contiguous, do not favor any political party, respect county and city boundaries, and promote fair representation. All commission meetings and work would be transparent, with all records and communications made public. The commission would be required to hold public hearings, release multiple draft maps for comment, and ultimately create final maps that require approval from at least six commissioners, including votes from each of the three political pools. The amendment would take effect in January 2027 and would provide funding of at least $750,000 for each redistricting cycle to ensure the commission can effectively perform its duties.

Government Affairs

https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hjr1001&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R