Bill > HB363

This bill establishes a comprehensive set of criteria for creating legislative districts in New Hampshire, requiring that districts comply with both federal and state constitutional requirements and be drawn based on total population. The bill mandates that districts must form single, contiguous boundaries that respect the geographic integrity of cities, towns, and unincorporated areas, while being drawn in compact shapes with minimal irregular edges. Districts must consider the integrity of "communities of interest" - defined as areas with shared characteristics such as racial, ethnic, economic, social, cultural, geographic, or historic identities, but explicitly excluding political party affiliations. The bill critically requires that district plans cannot be designed to intentionally advantage or disadvantage any political party, incumbent, candidate, or racial/language group. These criteria aim to ensure fair and representative redistricting that prioritizes geographic coherence, community connections, and non-partisan mapping. The provisions would apply to districts created by the New Hampshire Senate, House of Representatives, or any of their subcommittees, and the bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0402&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB363