Bill > HB259

This bill establishes an Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission to replace the current legislative redistricting process, creating a complex, multi-step selection method for 14 commission members designed to ensure independence and diversity. The commission will be responsible for drawing district boundaries for the U.S. House of Representatives, Texas Legislature, and State Board of Education, with strict guidelines prioritizing constitutional compliance, population equality, voting rights protections, and geographic integrity. Key provisions include a detailed selection process involving the state auditor, an applicant review panel, and legislative caucus leaders, with members chosen from majority party, minority party, and independent subpools. The commission must conduct an open and transparent process, hold public hearings, and create district maps that cannot consider political party preferences, incumbent residences, or existing boundary lines. Commission members face significant post-service restrictions, including being ineligible to hold elected or appointed offices for 5-10 years after serving. The bill specifies that these provisions will only take effect if a corresponding constitutional amendment is approved by voters in 2025 and will first be implemented for the 2030 census redistricting cycle. The commission's maps must be approved by at least nine members, including representatives from each subpool, and will be subject to potential legal challenges by registered voters.

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=HB259