Bill > AB1441

This bill establishes a Citizens Redistricting Commission in Merced County to replace the Board of Supervisors' traditional role in redrawing election district boundaries. The commission will consist of 11 members selected through a detailed, multi-step process designed to ensure independence and diversity, with members required to meet strict qualification standards such as being a long-time county resident, having voting history, and having no recent political affiliations or roles that could compromise impartiality. Members must represent different supervisorial districts, reflect the county's political party registration proportions, and possess analytical skills relevant to redistricting. The commission will be responsible for drawing new supervisorial district maps following each decennial census, following specific legal criteria and conducting extensive public hearings with translation services and multiple opportunities for community input. The bill includes provisions to ensure transparency, such as making all commission records public and requiring a detailed report explaining how district boundaries were determined. Additionally, the bill includes post-service restrictions for commission members, preventing them from holding elected or appointed offices for several years after serving. The legislation is specifically tailored to Merced County's unique circumstances and includes provisions for potential state reimbursement of implementation costs.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1441