80th Legislature: Redoing Redistricting

There are several bills that have been pre-filed dealing with issues relating to redistricting. There were several filed during the 79th as well, but they went nowhere.

Whether we can expect something different this session remains to be seen in spite of more Democrats and moderate Republicans, but that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from trying.

First, we have HJR 31, by Allan Ritter (D-Nederland), which proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit mid-decade redistricting unless it is ordered by a court to fix an unconstitutional map.

Next, there are two measures proposed by Mark Strama (D-Austin).

HB 112, which has a companion costitutional amendment in HJR 22, would create the Texas Redistricting Commission. The commission would be responsible for all state-level and Congressional redistricting in Texas.

In addition, HB 112 puts some restrictions on the commission, including that commission members may not:

•campaign for elective office while a member of the commission.
•actively participate in or contribute to the political campaign of a candidate for a state or federal elective office while a member of the commission.
•serve as or be a candidate to be a member of the Texas Legislature before the third anniversary of the date the commission adopted a redistricting plan for that body during the member’s service on the commission.
•perform an activity for which a person is required to register under Section 305.003 (in other words, no lobbying).

In addition to a provision concerning a hearing schedule, the bill also indicates what the commission can’t take into consideration when drawing new maps:

•the potential effects of the districts on incumbents or potential candidates for office.
•the residence of any elected official or potential candidate for office.
•any information involving the past political performance of a specific geographic area, except as necessary to comply with federal law.
•data concerning party affiliation or voting history, except as necessary to comply with federal law.

The first one is quite a doozie and pretty much would put a seal on “incumbent protection,” but it might go a long way toward pairing more communities of interest within legislative districts.

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