Bill > HB5316

This bill establishes an Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission (ICRC) to handle the redistricting of congressional, state legislative, and State Board of Education districts in Texas, replacing the current legislative redistricting process. The commission will consist of 14 members: five from the majority party, five from the minority party, and four independent members, all selected through a complex, multi-step application and selection process designed to ensure independence and diversity. The commission must draw district boundaries following specific criteria, prioritizing constitutional compliance, population equality, voting rights protections, geographic contiguity, and community integrity, while explicitly prohibiting consideration of political party preferences or incumbent residences. The commission will conduct an open and transparent process with extensive public hearings and input, and must approve final district maps by September 15 following each census year. Commission members are subject to strict conflict of interest rules and are ineligible to hold certain political offices for 10 years after their appointment. If the commission fails to approve a map, the Texas Supreme Court will appoint special masters to do so. The bill will only take effect if a corresponding constitutional amendment is approved by voters in 2025, and it will first apply to the 2030 census redistricting process.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5316