Bill > HB1215

This bill establishes an Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission in Pennsylvania to create congressional district maps every decade, designed to be a fair and transparent process. The commission will consist of 15 commissioners: five from the largest political party, five from the second-largest political party, and five from other parties, ensuring political balance and demographic diversity. Commissioners will be selected through a rigorous application process administered by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, with strict qualifications to prevent political insiders from serving. The commission must hold public hearings, solicit public input, and draw maps according to prioritized criteria that include compliance with federal and state laws, maintaining community integrity, ensuring minority voting rights, and avoiding partisan bias. The commission must release proposed maps for public comment, hold additional hearings, and ultimately submit a final map by October 15 of years ending in one. If the commission fails to approve a map, the General Assembly has an opportunity to vote on the proposed map, with a specific process for continued submissions if initial votes fail. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will have original jurisdiction for any legal challenges, which must be filed within 45 days of map certification. The bill aims to create a more transparent and impartial redistricting process by removing direct legislative control over congressional district boundaries.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1215