Bill > SCR107

This Concurrent Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to change the membership and process of the Apportionment Commission, which is responsible for drawing legislative districts every ten years based on the U.S. census. The amendment would increase the commission's size from ten to eleven members, with the eleventh member being appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and would alter the appointment process for the other ten members, requiring appointments from party chairs, legislative leaders, and the President and Speaker of the Legislature, with an emphasis on geographical, ethnic, gender, and racial diversity. Crucially, it mandates a more public and transparent process, requiring at least three public hearings, a dedicated website for public input and information, and public comment opportunities at certification meetings, while also establishing new standards for district composition, aiming for fair representation by ensuring an equal number of districts favor each of the two major political parties and requiring at least 25% of districts to be competitive, with a preference for preserving communities of interest.