Bill > HJR0094

This joint resolution proposes a comprehensive amendment to Article II of the Tennessee Constitution to establish an independent redistricting commission for creating legislative and congressional districts. The proposed amendment would replace existing provisions with a detailed framework for a 13-member commission responsible for drawing state senate, state house of representatives, and congressional districts. Commissioners would be selected through a complex process involving random selection, political affiliation requirements, and stringent eligibility criteria to ensure impartiality, including prohibitions on recent political involvement or employment. The commission would be required to hold public hearings, accept public input, and develop redistricting plans according to specific criteria such as equal population, geographic contiguity, respect for municipal boundaries, compactness, and avoiding partisan bias. The plan adoption process involves multiple rounds of voting and requires support from commissioners across different political affiliations. The amendment also establishes robust transparency requirements, including public meetings, detailed reporting, and publication of all materials used in creating district maps. Importantly, the resolution grants the commission significant autonomy, explicitly protecting its functions from legislative interference and providing a mechanism for judicial review of its plans, with the ultimate goal of creating a more neutral and representative redistricting process.

Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HJR0094&ga=114