No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5449 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5449
To require congressional redistricting conducted by a State to be
conducted in accordance with a redistricting plan developed and enacted
into law by an independent redistricting commission established by the
State, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 18, 2025
Ms. Lofgren (for herself, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Ms.
Ross, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Aguilar, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Bell, Mr. Bera, Mr.
Carbajal, Ms. Chu, Mr. Cisneros, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Correa, Mr. Costa,
Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Friedman, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Garcia of
California, Mr. Gomez, Mr. Harder of California, Mr. Huffman, Mr.
Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Levin, Mr.
Liccardo, Mr. Lieu, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Min, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Panetta, Ms.
Pelosi, Mr. Peters, Ms. Rivas, Mr. Ruiz, Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Sherman, Ms.
Simon, Mr. Swalwell, Mr. Takano, Mr. Thompson of California, Mrs.
Torres of California, Mr. Tran, Mr. Whitesides, Ms. Waters, Ms. Jacobs,
Mr. Gray, Mr. Landsman, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Carson, and Mr. Mrvan)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require congressional redistricting conducted by a State to be
conducted in accordance with a redistricting plan developed and enacted
into law by an independent redistricting commission established by the
State, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; STATEMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY; TABLE OF
CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Redistricting
Reform Act of 2025''.
(b) Finding of Constitutional Authority.--Congress finds that it
has the authority to establish the terms and conditions States must
follow in carrying out congressional redistricting after an
apportionment of Members of the House of Representatives because--
(1) the authority granted to Congress under article I,
section 4 of the Constitution of the United States gives
Congress the power to enact laws governing the time, place, and
manner of elections for Members of the House of
Representatives;
(2) the authority granted to Congress under section 5 of
the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution gives Congress the
power to enact laws to enforce section 2 of such amendment,
which requires Representatives to be apportioned among the
several States according to their number;
(3) the authority granted to Congress under section 5 of
the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution gives Congress the
power to enact laws to enforce section 1 of such amendment,
including protections against excessive partisan gerrymandering
that Federal courts have not enforced because they understand
such enforcement to be committed to Congress by the
Constitution;
(4) of the authority granted to Congress to enforce article
IV, section 4, of the Constitution, and the guarantee of a
Republican Form of Government to every State, which Federal
courts have not enforced because they understand such
enforcement to be committed to Congress by the Constitution;
and
(5) requiring States to use uniform redistricting criteria
is an appropriate and important exercise of such authority.
(c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; statement of constitutional authority; table of
contents.
TITLE I--REQUIREMENTS FOR CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING
Sec. 101. Requiring congressional redistricting to be conducted through
plan of independent State commission.
Sec. 102. Ban on mid-decade redistricting.
Sec. 103. Criteria for redistricting.
TITLE II--INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS
Sec. 201. Independent redistricting commission.
Sec. 202. Establishment of selection pool of individuals eligible to
serve as members of commission.
Sec. 203. Public notice and input.
Sec. 204. Establishment of related entities.
Sec. 205. Report on diversity of memberships of independent
redistricting commissions.
TITLE III--ROLE OF COURTS IN DEVELOPMENT OF REDISTRICTING PLANS
Sec. 301. Failure by State to enact plan.
Sec. 302. Special rule for redistricting conducted under order of
Federal court.
TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 401. Payments to States for carrying out redistricting.
Sec. 402. Civil enforcement.
Sec. 403. State apportionment notice defined.
Sec. 404. No effect on elections for State and local office.
Sec. 405. Effective date.
TITLE I--REQUIREMENTS FOR CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING
SEC. 101. REQUIRING CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING TO BE CONDUCTED THROUGH
PLAN OF INDEPENDENT STATE COMMISSION.
(a) Use of Plan Required.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, and except as provided in subsection (c) and subsection (d), any
congressional redistricting conducted by a State shall be conducted in
accordance with--
(1) the redistricting plan developed and enacted into law
by the independent redistricting commission established in the
State, in accordance with title II; or
(2) if a plan developed by such commission is not enacted
into law, the redistricting plan developed and enacted into law
by a 3-judge court, in accordance with section 301.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 22(c) of the Act entitled ``An
Act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and
to provide for an apportionment of Representatives in Congress'',
approved June 18, 1929 (2 U.S.C. 2a(c)), is amended by striking ``in
the manner provided by the law thereof'' and inserting: ``in the manner
provided by the Redistricting Reform Act of 2025''.
(c) Special Rule for Existing Commissions.--Subsection (a) does not
apply to any State in which, under law in effect continuously on and
after the date of the enactment of this Act, congressional
redistricting is carried out in accordance with a plan developed and
approved by an independent redistricting commission which is in
compliance with each of the following requirements:
(1) Publicly available application process.--Membership on
the commission is open to citizens of the State through a
publicly available application process.
(2) Disqualifications for government service and political
appointment.--Individuals who, for a covered period of time as
established by the State, hold or have held public office,
individuals who are or have been candidates for elected public
office, and individuals who serve or have served as an officer,
employee, or paid consultant of a campaign committee of a
candidate for public office are disqualified from serving on
the commission.
(3) Screening for conflicts.--Individuals who apply to
serve on the commission are screened through a process that
excludes persons with conflicts of interest from the pool of
potential commissioners.
(4) Multi-partisan composition.--Membership on the
commission represents those who are affiliated with the two
political parties whose candidates received the most votes in
the most recent statewide election for Federal office held in
the State, as well as those who are unaffiliated with any party
or who are affiliated with political parties other than the two
political parties whose candidates received the most votes in
the most recent statewide election for Federal office held in
the State.
(5) Criteria for redistricting.--Members of the commission
are required to meet certain criteria in the map drawing
process, including minimizing the division of communities of
interest and a ban on drawing maps to favor a political party.
(6) Public input.--Public hearings are held and comments
from the public are accepted before a final map is approved.
(7) Broad-based support for approval of final plan.--The
approval of the final redistricting plan requires a majority
vote of the members of the commission, including the support of
at least one member of each of the following:
(A) Members who are affiliated with the political
party whose candidate received the most votes in the
most recent statewide election for Federal office held
in the State.
(B) Members who are affiliated with the political
party whose candidate received the second most votes in
the most recent statewide election for Federal office
held in the State.
(C) Members who are not affiliated with any
political party or who are affiliated with political
parties other than the political parties described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(d) Treatment of State of Iowa.--Subsection (a) does not apply to
the State of Iowa, so long as congressional redistricting in such State
is carried out in accordance with a plan developed by the Iowa
Legislative Services Agency with the assistance of a Temporary
Redistricting Advisory Commission, under law which was in effect for
the most recent congressional redistricting carried out in the State
prior to the date of the enactment of this Act and which remains in
effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 102. BAN ON MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING.
(a) Ban.--A State that has been redistricted in accordance with
this Act and a State described in section 101(c) or section 101(d) may
not be redistricted again until after the next apportionment of
Representatives under section 22(a) of the Act entitled ``An Act to
provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to
provide for an apportionment of Representatives in Congress'', approved
June 18, 1929 (2 U.S.C. 2a), unless a court requires the State to
conduct such subsequent redistricting to comply with the Constitution
of the United States, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et
seq.), the Constitution of the State, or the terms or conditions of
this Act.
(b) Applicability of Remedies for Noncompliance.--Section 402
applies with respect to a violation of subsection (a) in the same
manner as such section applies with respect to a violation of any other
provision of this Act, and the remedies available pursuant to such
section may be applied with respect to a violation of subsection (a).
(c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to
redistricting carried out pursuant to the decennial census conducted
during 2020 or any succeeding decennial census.
SEC. 103. CRITERIA FOR REDISTRICTING.
(a) Requiring Plans To Meet Criteria.--A State may not use a
congressional redistricting plan that is not in compliance with this
section.
(b) Ranked Criteria.--Under the redistricting plan of a State,
there shall be established single-member congressional districts using
the following criteria as set forth in the following order of priority:
(1) Districts shall comply with the United States
Constitution, including the requirement that they substantially
equalize total population.
(2) Districts shall comply with the Voting Rights Act of
1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.), including by creating any
districts where, if based upon the totality of the
circumstances, 2 or more politically cohesive groups protected
by such Act are able to elect representatives of choice in
coalition with one another, and all applicable Federal laws.
(3)(A) Districts shall be drawn, to the extent that the
totality of the circumstances warrant, to ensure the practical
ability of a group protected under the Voting Rights Act of
1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) to participate in the political
process and to nominate candidates and to elect representatives
of choice is not diluted or diminished, regardless of whether
or not such protected group constitutes a majority of a
district's citizen voting age population.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the assessment of
whether a protected group has the practical ability to nominate
candidates and to elect representatives of choice shall require
the consideration of the following factors:
(i) Whether the group is politically cohesive.
(ii) Whether there is racially polarized voting in
the relevant geographic region.
(iii) If there is racially polarized voting in the
relevant geographic region, whether the preferred
candidates of the group nevertheless receive a
sufficient amount of consistent crossover support from
other voters such that the group is a functional
majority with the ability to both nominate candidates
and elect representatives of choice.
(4)(A) Districts shall be drawn to represent communities of
interest and neighborhoods to the extent practicable after
compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (3).
A community of interest is defined as an area for which the
record before the entity responsible for developing and
adopting the redistricting plan demonstrates the existence of
broadly shared interests and representational needs, including
shared interests and representational needs rooted in common
ethnic, racial, economic, Indian, social, cultural, geographic,
or historic identities, or arising from similar socioeconomic
conditions. The term communities of interest may, if the record
warrants, include political subdivisions such as counties,
municipalities, Indian lands, or school districts, but shall
not include common relationships with political parties or
political candidates.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), in considering the
needs of multiple, overlapping communities of interest, the
entity responsible for developing and adopting the
redistricting plan shall give greater weight to those
communities of interest whose representational needs would most
benefit from the community's inclusion in a single
congressional district.
(c) No Favoring or Disfavoring of Political Parties.--
(1) Prohibition.--A State may not use a redistricting plan
to conduct an election that, when considered on a statewide
basis, has been drawn with the intent or has the effect of
materially favoring or disfavoring any political party.
(2) Determination of effect.--The determination of whether
a redistricting plan has the effect of materially favoring or
disfavoring a political party shall be based on an evaluation
of the totality of circumstances which, at a minimum, shall
involve consideration of each of the following factors:
(A) Computer modeling based on relevant statewide
general elections for Federal office held over the 8
years preceding the adoption of the redistricting plan
setting forth the probable electoral outcomes for the
plan under a range of reasonably foreseeable
conditions.
(B) An analysis of whether the redistricting plan
is statistically likely to result in partisan advantage
or disadvantage on a statewide basis, the degree of any
such advantage or disadvantage, and whether such
advantage or disadvantage is likely to be present under
a range of reasonably foreseeable electoral conditions.
(C) A comparison of the modeled electoral outcomes
for the redistricting plan to the modeled electoral
outcomes for alternative plans that demonstrably comply
with the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)
of subsection (b) in order to determine whether
reasonable alternatives exist that would result in
materially lower levels of partisan advantage or
disadvantage on a statewide basis. For purposes of this
subparagraph, alternative plans considered may include
both actual plans proposed during the redistricting
process and other plans prepared for purposes of
comparison.
(D) Any other relevant information, including how
broad support for the redistricting plan was among
members of the entity responsible for developing and
adopting the plan and whether the processes leading to
the development and adoption of the plan were
transparent and equally open to all members of the
entity and to the public.
(3) Rebuttable presumption.--
(A) Trigger.--In any civil action brought under
section 402 in which a party asserts a claim that a
State has enacted a redistricting plan which is in
violation of this subsection, a party may file a motion
not later than 30 days after the enactment of the plan
(or, if later, not later than 30 days after the
effective date of this Act) requesting that the court
determine whether a presumption of such a violation
exists. If such a motion is timely filed, the court
shall hold a hearing not later than 15 days after the
date the motion is filed to assess whether a
presumption of such a violation exists.
(B) Assessment.--To conduct the assessment required
under subparagraph (A), the court shall do the
following:
(i) Determine the number of congressional
districts under the plan that would have been
carried by each political party's candidates
for the office of President and the office of
Senator in the 2 most recent general elections
for the office of President and the 2 most
recent general elections for the office of
Senator (other than special general elections)
immediately preceding the enactment of the
plan, except that if a State conducts a primary
election for the office of Senator which is
open to candidates of all political parties,
the primary election shall be used instead of
the general election and the number of
districts carried by a party's candidates for
the office of Senator shall be determined on
the basis of the combined vote share of all
candidates in the election who are affiliated
with such party.
(ii) Determine, for each of the 4 elections
assessed under clause (i), whether the number
of districts that would have been carried by
any party's candidate as determined under
clause (i) results in partisan advantage or
disadvantage in excess of 7 percent or one
congressional district, whichever is greater,
as determined by standard quantitative measures
of partisan fairness that relate a party's
share of the statewide vote to that party's
share of seats.
(C) Presumption of violation.--A plan is presumed
to violate paragraph (1) if it exceeds the threshold
described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (B) with
respect to 2 or more of the 4 elections assessed under
such subparagraph.
(D) Stay of use of plan.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Act, in any action under this
paragraph, the following rules shall apply:
(i) Upon filing of a motion under
subparagraph (A), a State's use of the plan
which is the subject of the motion shall be
automatically stayed pending resolution of such
motion.
(ii) If after considering the motion, the
court rules that the plan is presumed under
subparagraph (C) to violate paragraph (1), a
State may not use such plan until and unless
the court which is carrying out the
determination of the effect of the plan under
paragraph (2) determines that, notwithstanding
the presumptive violation, the plan does not
violate paragraph (1).
(E) No effect on other assessments.--The absence of
a presumption of a violation with respect to a
redistricting plan as determined under this paragraph
shall not affect the determination of the effect of the
plan under paragraph (2).
(4) Determination of intent.--A court may rely on all
available evidence when determining whether a redistricting
plan was drawn with the intent to materially favor or disfavor
a political party, including evidence of the partisan effects
of a plan, the degree of support the plan received from members
of the entity responsible for developing and adopting the plan,
and whether the processes leading to development and adoption
of the plan were transparent and equally open to all members of
the entity and to the public.
(5) No violation based on certain criteria.--No
redistricting plan shall be found to be in violation of
paragraph (1) because of the proper application of the criteria
set forth in paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b),
unless one or more alternative plans could have complied with
such paragraphs without having the effect of materially
favoring or disfavoring a political party.
(d) Factors Prohibited From Consideration.--In developing the
redistricting plan for the State, the State may not take into
consideration any of the following factors, except as necessary to
comply with the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of
subsection (b), to achieve partisan fairness and comply with subsection
(b), and to enable the redistricting plan to be measured against the
external metrics described in section 203(d):
(1) The residence of any Member of the House of
Representatives or candidate.
(2) The political party affiliation or voting history of
the population of a district.
(e) Additional Criteria.--A State may not rely upon criteria not
set forth in this section to justify non-compliance with the
requirements of this section.
(f) Applicability.--This section applies to any authority, whether
appointed, elected, judicial, or otherwise, responsible for enacting
the congressional redistricting plan of a State.
(g) Severability of Criteria.--If any of the criteria set forth in
this section, or the application of such criteria to any person or
circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remaining criteria
set forth in this section, and the application of such criteria to any
person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.
TITLE II--INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS
SEC. 201. INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.
(a) Appointment of Members.--
(1) In general.--The nonpartisan agency established or
designated by a State under section 204(a) shall establish an
independent redistricting commission for the State, which shall
consist of 15 members appointed by the agency as follows:
(A) Not later than October 1 of a year ending in
the numeral zero, the agency shall, at a public meeting
held not earlier than 15 days after notice of the
meeting has been given to the public, first appoint 6
members as follows:
(i) The agency shall appoint 2 members on a
random basis from the majority category of the
approved selection pool (as described in
section 202(b)(1)(A)).
(ii) The agency shall appoint 2 members on
a random basis from the minority category of
the approved selection pool (as described in
section 202(b)(1)(B)).
(iii) The agency shall appoint 2 members on
a random basis from the independent category of
the approved selection pool (as described in
section 202(b)(1)(C)).
(B) Not later than November 15 of a year ending in
the numeral zero, the members appointed by the agency
under subparagraph (A) shall, at a public meeting held
not earlier than 15 days after notice of the meeting
has been given to the public, then appoint 9 members as
follows:
(i) The members shall appoint 3 members
from the majority category of the approved
selection pool (as described in section
202(b)(1)(A)).
(ii) The members shall appoint 3 members
from the minority category of the approved
selection pool (as described in section
202(b)(1)(B)).
(iii) The members shall appoint 3 members
from the independent category of the approved
selection pool (as described in section
202(b)(1)(C)).
(2) Rules for appointment of members appointed by first
members.--
(A) Affirmative vote of at least 4 members.--The
appointment of any of the 9 members of the independent
redistricting commission who are appointed by the first
members of the commission pursuant to subparagraph (B)
of paragraph (1), as well as the designation of
alternates for such members pursuant to subparagraph
(B) of paragraph (3) and the appointment of alternates
to fill vacancies pursuant to subparagraph (B) of
paragraph (4), shall require the affirmative vote of at
least 4 of the members appointed by the nonpartisan
agency under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1),
including at least one member from each of the
categories referred to in such subparagraph.
(B) Ensuring diversity.--In appointing the 9
members pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1),
as well as in designating alternates pursuant to
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) and in appointing
alternates to fill vacancies pursuant to subparagraph
(B) of paragraph (4), the first members of the
independent redistricting commission shall ensure that
the membership is representative of the demographic
groups (including racial, ethnic, economic, and gender)
and geographic regions of the State, and provides
racial, ethnic, and language minorities protected under
the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with a meaningful
opportunity to participate in the development of the
State's redistricting plan.
(3) Designation of alternates to serve in case of
vacancies.--
(A) Members appointed by agency.--At the time the
agency appoints the members of the independent
redistricting commission under subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (1) from each of the categories referred to
in such subparagraph, the agency shall, on a random
basis, designate 2 other individuals from such category
to serve as alternate members who may be appointed to
fill vacancies in the commission in accordance with
paragraph (4).
(B) Members appointed by first members.--At the
time the members appointed by the agency appoint the
other members of the independent redistricting
commission under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) from
each of the categories referred to in such
subparagraph, the members shall, in accordance with the
special rules described in paragraph (2), designate 2
other individuals from such category to serve as
alternate members who may be appointed to fill
vacancies in the commission in accordance with
paragraph (4).
(4) Appointment of alternates to serve in case of
vacancies.--
(A) Members appointed by agency.--If a vacancy
occurs in the commission with respect to a member who
was appointed by the nonpartisan agency under
subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) from one of the
categories referred to in such subparagraph, the agency
shall fill the vacancy by appointing, on a random
basis, one of the 2 alternates from such category who
was designated under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3).
At the time the agency appoints an alternate to fill a
vacancy under the previous sentence, the agency shall
designate, on a random basis, another individual from
the same category to serve as an alternate member, in
accordance with subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3).
(B) Members appointed by first members.--If a
vacancy occurs in the commission with respect to a
member who was appointed by the first members of the
commission under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) from
one of the categories referred to in such subparagraph,
the first members shall, in accordance with the special
rules described in paragraph (2), fill the vacancy by
appointing one of the 2 alternates from such category
who was designated under subparagraph (B) of paragraph
(3). At the time the first members appoint an alternate
to fill a vacancy under the previous sentence, the
first members shall, in accordance with the special
rules described in paragraph (2), designate another
individual from the same category to serve as an
alternate member, in accordance with subparagraph (B)
of paragraph (3).
(5) Removal.--A member of the independent redistricting
commission may be removed by a majority vote of the remaining
members of the commission if it is shown by a preponderance of
the evidence that the member is not eligible to serve on the
commission under section 202(a).
(b) Procedures for Conducting Commission Business.--
(1) Chair.--Members of an independent redistricting
commission established under this section shall select by
majority vote one member who was appointed from the independent
category of the approved selection pool described in section
202(b)(1)(C) to serve as chair of the commission. The
commission may not take any action to develop a redistricting
plan for the State under section 203 until the appointment of
the commission's chair.
(2) Requiring majority approval for actions.--The
independent redistricting commission of a State may not publish
and disseminate any draft or final redistricting plan, or take
any other action, without the approval of at least--
(A) a majority of the whole membership of the
commission; and
(B) at least one member of the commission appointed
from each of the categories of the approved selection
pool described in section 202(b)(1).
(3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the commission
shall constitute a quorum.
(c) Staff; Contractors.--
(1) Staff.--Under a public application process in which all
application materials are available for public inspection, the
independent redistricting commission of a State shall appoint
and set the pay of technical experts, legal counsel,
consultants, and such other staff as it considers appropriate,
subject to State law.
(2) Contractors.--The independent redistricting commission
of a State may enter into such contracts with vendors as it
considers appropriate, subject to State law, except that any
such contract shall be valid only if approved by the vote of a
majority of the members of the commission, including at least
one member appointed from each of the categories of the
approved selection pool described in section 202(b)(1).
(3) Reports on expenditures for political activity.--
(A) Report by applicants.--Each individual who
applies for a position as an employee of the
independent redistricting commission and each vendor
who applies for a contract with the commission shall,
at the time of applying, file with the commission a
report summarizing--
(i) any expenditure for political activity
made by such individual or vendor during the 10
most recent calendar years; and
(ii) any income received by such individual
or vendor during the 10 most recent calendar
years which is attributable to an expenditure
for political activity.
(B) Annual reports by employees and vendors.--Each
person who is an employee or vendor of the independent
redistricting commission shall, not later than 1 year
after the person is appointed as an employee or enters
into a contract as a vendor (as the case may be) and
annually thereafter for each year during which the
person serves as an employee or a vendor, file with the
commission a report summarizing the expenditures and
income described in subparagraph (A) during the 10 most
recent calendar years.
(C) Expenditure for political activity defined.--In
this paragraph, the term ``expenditure for political
activity'' means a disbursement for any of the
following:
(i) An independent expenditure, as defined
in section 301(17) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(17)).
(ii) An electioneering communication, as
defined in section 304(f)(3) of such Act (52
U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)) or any other public
communication, as defined in section 301(22) of
such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101(22)) that would be an
electioneering communication if it were a
broadcast, cable, or satellite communication.
(iii) Any dues or other payments to trade
associations or organizations described in
section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a)
of such Code that are, or could reasonably be
anticipated to be, used or transferred to
another association or organization for a use
described in paragraph (1), (2), or (4) of
section 501(c) of such Code.
(4) Goal of impartiality.--The commission shall take such
steps as it considers appropriate to ensure that any staff
appointed under this subsection, and any vendor with whom the
commission enters into a contract under this subsection, will
work in an impartial manner, and may require any person who
applies for an appointment to a staff position or for a
vendor's contract with the commission to provide information on
the person's history of political activity beyond the
information on the person's expenditures for political activity
provided in the reports required under paragraph (3) (including
donations to candidates, political committees, and political
parties) as a condition of the appointment or the contract.
(5) Disqualification; waiver.--
(A) In general.--The independent redistricting
commission may not appoint an individual as an
employee, and may not enter into a contract with a
vendor, if the individual or vendor meets any of the
criteria for the disqualification of an individual from
serving as a member of the commission which are set
forth in section 202(a)(2).
(B) Waiver.--The commission may by unanimous vote
of its members waive the application of subparagraph
(A) to an individual or a vendor after receiving and
reviewing the report filed by the individual or vendor
under paragraph (3).
(d) Termination.--
(1) In general.--The independent redistricting commission
of a State shall terminate on the earlier of--
(A) June 14 of the next year ending in the numeral
zero; or
(B) the day on which the nonpartisan agency
established or designated by a State under section
204(a) has, in accordance with section 202(b)(1),
submitted a selection pool to the Select Committee on
Redistricting for the State established under section
204(b).
(2) Preservation of records.--The State shall ensure that
the records of the independent redistricting commission are
retained in the appropriate State archive in such manner as may
be necessary to enable the State to respond to any civil action
brought with respect to congressional redistricting in the
State.
SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF SELECTION POOL OF INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO
SERVE AS MEMBERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) Criteria for Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--An individual is eligible to serve as a
member of an independent redistricting commission if the
individual meets each of the following criteria:
(A) As of the date of appointment, the individual
is registered to vote in elections for Federal office
held in the State.
(B) During the 3-year period ending on the date of
the individual's appointment, the individual has been
continuously registered to vote with the same political
party, or has not been registered to vote with any
political party.
(C) The individual submits to the nonpartisan
agency established or designated by a State under
section 204, at such time and in such form as the
agency may require, an application for inclusion in the
selection pool under this section, and includes with
the application a written statement, with an
attestation under penalty of perjury, containing the
following information and assurances:
(i) The full current name and any former
names of, and the contact information for, the
individual, including an electronic mail
address, the address of the individual's
residence, mailing address, and telephone
numbers.
(ii) The individual's race, ethnicity,
gender, age, date of birth, and household
income for the most recent taxable year.
(iii) The political party with which the
individual is affiliated, if any.
(iv) The reason or reasons the individual
desires to serve on the independent
redistricting commission, the individual's
qualifications, and information relevant to the
ability of the individual to be fair and
impartial, including, but not limited to--
(I) any involvement with, or
financial support of, professional,
social, political, religious, or
community organizations or causes; and
(II) the individual's employment
and educational history.
(v) An assurance that the individual shall
commit to carrying out the individual's duties
under this Act in an honest, independent, and
impartial fashion, and to upholding public
confidence in the integrity of the
redistricting process.
(vi) An assurance that, during the covered
periods described in paragraph (3), the
individual has not taken and will not take any
action which would disqualify the individual
from serving as a member of the commission
under paragraph (2).
(2) Disqualifications.--An individual is not eligible to
serve as a member of the commission if any of the following
applies during any of the covered periods described in
paragraph (3):
(A) The individual or (in the case of the covered
periods described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
paragraph (3)) an immediate family member of the
individual holds public office or is a candidate for
election for public office.
(B) The individual or (in the case of the covered
periods described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
paragraph (3)) an immediate family member of the
individual serves as an officer of a political party or
as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a
campaign committee of a candidate for public office or
of any political action committee (as determined in
accordance with the law of the State).
(C) The individual or (in the case of the covered
periods described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
paragraph (3)) an immediate family member of the
individual holds a position as a registered lobbyist
under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C.
1601 et seq.) or an equivalent State or local law.
(D) The individual or (in the case of the covered
periods described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
paragraph (3)) an immediate family member of the
individual is an employee of an elected public
official, a contractor with the government of the
State, or a donor to the campaign of any candidate for
public office or to any political action committee
(other than a donor who, during any of such covered
periods, gives an aggregate amount of $1,000 or less to
the campaigns of all candidates for all public offices
and to all political action committees).
(E) The individual paid a civil money penalty or
criminal fine, or was sentenced to a term of
imprisonment, for violating any provision of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101
et seq.).
(F) The individual or (in the case of the covered
periods described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
paragraph (3)) an immediate family member of the
individual is an agent of a foreign principal under the
Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22
U.S.C. 611 et seq.).
(3) Covered periods described.--In this subsection, the
term ``covered period'' means, with respect to the appointment
of an individual to the commission, any of the following:
(A) The 10-year period ending on the date of the
individual's appointment.
(B) The period beginning on the date of the
individual's appointment and ending on August 14 of the
next year ending in the numeral one.
(C) The 10-year period beginning on the day after
the last day of the period described in subparagraph
(B).
(4) Immediate family member defined.--In this subsection,
the term ``immediate family member'' means, with respect to an
individual, a father, stepfather, mother, stepmother, son,
stepson, daughter, stepdaughter, brother, stepbrother, sister,
stepsister, husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother-in-law.
(b) Development and Submission of Selection Pool.--
(1) In general.--Not later than June 15 of each year ending
in the numeral zero, the nonpartisan agency established or
designated by a State under section 204(a) shall develop and
submit to the Select Committee on Redistricting for the State
established under section 204(b) a selection pool of 36
individuals who are eligible to serve as members of the
independent redistricting commission of the State under this
Act, consisting of individuals in the following categories:
(A) A majority category, consisting of 12
individuals who are affiliated with the political party
whose candidate received the most votes in the most
recent statewide election for Federal office held in
the State.
(B) A minority category, consisting of 12
individuals who are affiliated with the political party
whose candidate received the second most votes in the
most recent statewide election for Federal office held
in the State.
(C) An independent category, consisting of 12
individuals who are not affiliated with either of the
political parties described in subparagraph (A) or
subparagraph (B).
(2) Factors taken into account in developing pool.--In
selecting individuals for the selection pool under this
subsection, the nonpartisan agency shall--
(A) ensure that the pool is representative of the
demographic groups (including racial, ethnic, economic,
and gender) and geographic regions of the State, and
includes applicants who would allow racial, ethnic, and
language minorities protected under the Voting Rights
Act of 1965 a meaningful opportunity to participate in
the development of the State's redistricting plan; and
(B) take into consideration the analytical skills
of the individuals selected in relevant fields
(including mapping, data management, law, community
outreach, demography, and the geography of the State)
and their ability to work on an impartial basis.
(3) Interviews of applicants.--To assist the nonpartisan
agency in developing the selection pool under this subsection,
the nonpartisan agency shall conduct interviews of applicants
under oath. If an individual is included in a selection pool
developed under this section, all of the interviews of the
individual shall be transcribed and the transcriptions made
available on the nonpartisan agency's website contemporaneously
with release of the report under paragraph (6).
(4) Determination of political party affiliation of
individuals in selection pool.--For purposes of this section,
an individual shall be considered to be affiliated with a
political party only if the nonpartisan agency is able to
verify (to the greatest extent possible) the information the
individual provides in the application submitted under
subsection (a)(1)(C), including by considering additional
information provided by other persons with knowledge of the
individual's history of political activity.
(5) Encouraging residents to apply for inclusion in pool.--
The nonpartisan agency shall take such steps as may be
necessary to ensure that residents of the State across various
geographic regions and demographic groups are aware of the
opportunity to serve on the independent redistricting
commission, including publicizing the role of the panel and
using newspapers, broadcast media, and online sources,
including ethnic media, to encourage individuals to apply for
inclusion in the selection pool developed under this
subsection.
(6) Report on establishment of selection pool.--At the time
the nonpartisan agency submits the selection pool to the Select
Committee on Redistricting under paragraph (1), it shall
publish and post on the agency's public website a report
describing the process by which the pool was developed, and
shall include in the report a description of how the
individuals in the pool meet the eligibility criteria of
subsection (a) and of how the pool reflects the factors the
agency is required to take into consideration under paragraph
(2).
(7) Public comment on selection pool.--During the 14-day
period which begins on the date the nonpartisan agency
publishes the report under paragraph (6), the agency shall
accept comments from the public on the individuals included in
the selection pool. The agency shall post all such comments
contemporaneously on the nonpartisan agency's website and shall
transmit them to the Select Committee on Redistricting
immediately upon the expiration of such period.
(8) Action by select committee.--
(A) In general.--Not earlier than 15 days and not
later than 21 days after receiving the selection pool
from the nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the
Select Committee on Redistricting shall, by majority
vote--
(i) approve the pool as submitted by the
nonpartisan agency, in which case the pool
shall be considered the approved selection pool
for purposes of section 201(a)(1); or
(ii) reject the pool, in which case the
nonpartisan agency shall develop and submit a
replacement selection pool in accordance with
subsection (c).
(B) Inaction deemed rejection.--If the Select
Committee on Redistricting fails to approve or reject
the pool within the deadline set forth in subparagraph
(A), the Select Committee shall be deemed to have
rejected the pool for purposes of such subparagraph.
(c) Development of Replacement Selection Pool.--
(1) In general.--If the Select Committee on Redistricting
rejects the selection pool submitted by the nonpartisan agency
under subsection (b), not later than 14 days after the
rejection, the nonpartisan agency shall develop and submit to
the Select Committee a replacement selection pool, under the
same terms and conditions that applied to the development and
submission of the selection pool under paragraphs (1) through
(7) of subsection (b). The replacement pool submitted under
this paragraph may include individuals who were included in the
rejected selection pool submitted under subsection (b), so long
as at least one of the individuals in the replacement pool was
not included in such rejected pool.
(2) Action by select committee.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 21 days after
receiving the replacement selection pool from the
nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the Select
Committee on Redistricting shall, by majority vote--
(i) approve the pool as submitted by the
nonpartisan agency, in which case the pool
shall be considered the approved selection pool
for purposes of section 201(a)(1); or
(ii) reject the pool, in which case the
nonpartisan agency shall develop and submit a
second replacement selection pool in accordance
with subsection (d).
(B) Inaction deemed rejection.--If the Select
Committee on Redistricting fails to approve or reject
the pool within the deadline set forth in subparagraph
(A), the Select Committee shall be deemed to have
rejected the pool for purposes of such subparagraph.
(d) Development of Second Replacement Selection Pool.--
(1) In general.--If the Select Committee on Redistricting
rejects the replacement selection pool submitted by the
nonpartisan agency under subsection (c), not later than 14 days
after the rejection, the nonpartisan agency shall develop and
submit to the Select Committee a second replacement selection
pool, under the same terms and conditions that applied to the
development and submission of the selection pool under
paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (b). The second
replacement selection pool submitted under this paragraph may
include individuals who were included in the rejected selection
pool submitted under subsection (b) or the rejected replacement
selection pool submitted under subsection (c), so long as at
least one of the individuals in the replacement pool was not
included in either such rejected pool.
(2) Action by select committee.--
(A) In general.--Not earlier than 15 days and not
later than 14 days after receiving the second
replacement selection pool from the nonpartisan agency
under paragraph (1), the Select Committee on
Redistricting shall, by majority vote--
(i) approve the pool as submitted by the
nonpartisan agency, in which case the pool
shall be considered the approved selection pool
for purposes of section 201(a)(1); or
(ii) reject the pool.
(B) Inaction deemed rejection.--If the Select
Committee on Redistricting fails to approve or reject
the pool within the deadline set forth in subparagraph
(A), the Select Committee shall be deemed to have
rejected the pool for purposes of such subparagraph.
(C) Effect of rejection.--If the Select Committee
on Redistricting rejects the second replacement pool
from the nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the
redistricting plan for the State shall be developed and
enacted in accordance with title III.
SEC. 203. PUBLIC NOTICE AND INPUT.
(a) Public Notice and Input.--
(1) Use of open and transparent process.--The independent
redistricting commission of a State shall hold each of its
meetings in public, shall solicit and take into consideration
comments from the public, including proposed maps, throughout
the process of developing the redistricting plan for the State,
and shall carry out its duties in an open and transparent
manner which provides for the widest public dissemination
reasonably possible of its proposed and final redistricting
plans.
(2) Website.--
(A) Features.--The commission shall maintain a
public internet site which is not affiliated with or
maintained by the office of any elected official and
which includes the following features:
(i) General information on the commission,
its role in the redistricting process, and its
members, including contact information.
(ii) An updated schedule of commission
hearings and activities, including deadlines
for the submission of comments.
(iii) All draft redistricting plans
developed by the commission under subsection
(b) and the final redistricting plan developed
under subsection (c), including the
accompanying written evaluation under
subsection (d).
(iv) All comments received from the public
on the commission's activities, including any
proposed maps submitted under paragraph (1).
(v) Live streaming of commission hearings
and an archive of previous meetings, including
any documents considered at any such meeting,
which the commission shall post not later than
24 hours after the conclusion of the meeting.
(vi) Access in an easily useable format to
the demographic and other data used by the
commission to develop and analyze the proposed
redistricting plans, together with access to
any software used to draw maps of proposed
districts and to any reports analyzing and
evaluating any such maps.
(vii) A method by which members of the
public may submit comments and proposed maps
directly to the commission.
(viii) All records of the commission,
including all communications to or from
members, employees, and contractors regarding
the work of the commission.
(ix) A list of all contractors receiving
payment from the commission, together with the
annual disclosures submitted by the contractors
under section 201(c)(3).
(x) A list of the names of all individuals
who submitted applications to serve on the
commission, together with the applications
submitted by individuals included in any
selection pool, except that the commission may
redact from such applications any financial or
other personally sensitive information.
(B) Searchable format.--The commission shall ensure
that all information posted and maintained on the site
under this paragraph, including information and
proposed maps submitted by the public, shall be
maintained in an easily searchable format.
(C) Deadline.--The commission shall ensure that the
public internet site under this paragraph is
operational (in at least a preliminary format) not
later than January 1 of the year ending in the numeral
one.
(3) Public comment period.--The commission shall solicit,
accept, and consider comments from the public with respect to
its duties, activities, and procedures at any time during the
period--
(A) which begins on January 1 of the year ending in
the numeral one; and
(B) which ends 7 days before the date of the
meeting at which the commission shall vote on approving
the final redistricting plan for enactment into law
under subsection (c)(2).
(4) Meetings and hearings in various geographic
locations.--To the greatest extent practicable, the commission
shall hold its meetings and hearings in various geographic
regions and locations throughout the State.
(5) Multiple language requirements for all notices.--The
commission shall make each notice which is required to be
posted and published under this section available in any
language in which the State (or any jurisdiction in the State)
is required to provide election materials under section 203 of
the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10503).
(b) Development and Publication of Preliminary Redistricting
Plan.--
(1) In general.--Prior to developing and publishing a final
redistricting plan under subsection (c), the independent
redistricting commission of a State shall develop and publish a
preliminary redistricting plan.
(2) Minimum public hearings and opportunity for comment
prior to development.--
(A) 3 hearings required.--Prior to developing a
preliminary redistricting plan under this subsection,
the commission shall hold not fewer than 3 public
hearings at which members of the public may provide
input and comments regarding the potential contents of
redistricting plans for the State and the process by
which the commission will develop the preliminary plan
under this subsection.
(B) Minimum period for notice prior to hearings.--
Not fewer than 14 days prior to the date of each
hearing held under this paragraph, the commission shall
post notices of the hearing on the website maintained
under subsection (a)(2), and shall provide for the
publication of such notices in newspapers of general
circulation throughout the State. Each such notice
shall specify the date, time, and location of the
hearing.
(C) Submission of plans and maps by members of the
public.--Any member of the public may submit maps or
portions of maps for consideration by the commission.
As provided under subsection (a)(2)(A), any such map
shall be made publicly available on the commission's
website and open to comment.
(3) Publication of preliminary plan.--
(A) In general.--The commission shall post the
preliminary redistricting plan developed under this
subsection, together with a report that includes the
commission's responses to any public comments received
under subsection (a)(3), on the website maintained
under subsection (a)(2), and shall provide for the
publication of each such plan in newspapers of general
circulation throughout the State.
(B) Minimum period for notice prior to
publication.--Not fewer than 14 days prior to the date
on which the commission posts and publishes the
preliminary plan under this paragraph, the commission
shall notify the public through the website maintained
under subsection (a)(2), as well as through publication
of notice in newspapers of general circulation
throughout the State, of the pending publication of the
plan.
(4) Minimum post-publication period for public comment.--
The commission shall accept and consider comments from the
public (including through the website maintained under
subsection (a)(2)) with respect to the preliminary
redistricting plan published under paragraph (3), including
proposed revisions to maps, for not fewer than 30 days after
the date on which the plan is published.
(5) Post-publication hearings.--
(A) 3 hearings required.--After posting and
publishing the preliminary redistricting plan under
paragraph (3), the commission shall hold not fewer than
3 public hearings in different geographic areas of the
State at which members of the public may provide input
and comments regarding the preliminary plan.
(B) Minimum period for notice prior to hearings.--
Not fewer than 14 days prior to the date of each
hearing held under this paragraph, the commission shall
post notices of the hearing on the website maintained
under subsection (a)(2), and shall provide for the
publication of such notices in newspapers of general
circulation throughout the State. Each such notice
shall specify the date, time, and location of the
hearing.
(6) Permitting multiple preliminary plans.--At the option
of the commission, after developing and publishing the
preliminary redistricting plan under this subsection, the
commission may develop and publish subsequent preliminary
redistricting plans, so long as the process for the development
and publication of each such subsequent plan meets the
requirements set forth in this subsection for the development
and publication of the first preliminary redistricting plan.
(c) Process for Enactment of Final Redistricting Plan.--
(1) In general.--After taking into consideration comments
from the public on any preliminary redistricting plan developed
and published under subsection (b), the independent
redistricting commission of a State shall develop and publish a
final redistricting plan for the State.
(2) Meeting; final vote.--Not later than the deadline
specified in subsection (e), the commission shall hold a public
hearing at which the members of the commission shall vote on
approving the final plan for enactment into law.
(3) Publication of plan and accompanying materials.--Not
fewer than 14 days before the date of the meeting under
paragraph (2), the commission shall provide the following
information to the public through the website maintained under
subsection (a)(2), as well as through newspapers of general
circulation throughout the State:
(A) The final redistricting plan, including all
relevant maps.
(B) A report by the commission to accompany the
plan which provides the background for the plan and the
commission's reasons for selecting the plan as the
final redistricting plan, including responses to the
public comments received on any preliminary
redistricting plan developed and published under
subsection (b).
(C) Any dissenting or additional views with respect
to the plan of individual members of the commission.
(4) Enactment.--Subject to paragraph (5), the final
redistricting plan developed and published under this
subsection shall be deemed to be enacted into law upon the
expiration of the 45-day period which begins on the date on
which--
(A) such final plan is approved by a majority of
the whole membership of the commission; and
(B) at least one member of the commission appointed
from each of the categories of the approved selection
pool described in section 202(b)(1) approves such final
plan.
(5) Review by department of justice.--
(A) Requiring submission of plan for review.--The
final redistricting plan shall not be deemed to be
enacted into law unless the State submits the plan to
the Department of Justice for an administrative review
to determine if the plan is in compliance with the
criteria described in subsections (b) and (c) of
section 103.
(B) Termination of review.--The Department of
Justice shall terminate any administrative review under
subparagraph (A) if, during the 45-day period which
begins on the date the plan is enacted into law, an
action is filed in a United States district court
alleging that the plan is not in compliance with the
criteria described in subsections (b) and (c) of
section 103.
(d) Written Evaluation of Plan Against External Metrics.--The
independent redistricting commission shall include with each
redistricting plan developed and published under this section a written
evaluation that measures each such plan against external metrics which
cover the criteria set forth in section 103(a), including the impact of
the plan on the ability of communities of color to elect candidates of
choice, measures of partisan fairness using multiple accepted
methodologies, and the degree to which the plan preserves or divides
communities of interest.
(e) Timing.--The independent redistricting commission of a State
may begin its work on the redistricting plan of the State upon receipt
of relevant population information from the Bureau of the Census, and
shall approve a final redistricting plan for the State in each year
ending in the numeral one not later than 8 months after the date on
which the State receives the State apportionment notice or October 1,
whichever occurs later.
SEC. 204. ESTABLISHMENT OF RELATED ENTITIES.
(a) Establishment or Designation of Nonpartisan Agency of State
Legislature.--
(1) In general.--Each State shall establish a nonpartisan
agency in the legislative branch of the State government to
appoint the members of the independent redistricting commission
for the State in accordance with section 201.
(2) Nonpartisanship described.--For purposes of this
subsection, an agency shall be considered to be nonpartisan if
under law the agency--
(A) is required to provide services on a
nonpartisan basis;
(B) is required to maintain impartiality; and
(C) is prohibited from advocating for the adoption
or rejection of any legislative proposal.
(3) Training of members appointed to commission.--Not later
than January 15 of a year ending in the numeral one, the
nonpartisan agency established or designated under this
subsection shall provide the members of the independent
redistricting commission with initial training on their
obligations as members of the commission, including obligations
under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.)
and other applicable laws.
(4) Regulations.--The nonpartisan agency established or
designated under this subsection shall adopt and publish
regulations, after notice and opportunity for comment,
establishing the procedures that the agency will follow in
fulfilling its duties under this Act, including the procedures
to be used in vetting the qualifications and political
affiliation of applicants and in creating the selection pools,
the randomized process to be used in selecting the initial
members of the independent redistricting commission, and the
rules that the agency will apply to ensure that the agency
carries out its duties under this Act in a maximally
transparent, publicly accessible, and impartial manner.
(5) Designation of existing agency.--At its option, a State
may designate an existing agency in the legislative branch of
its government to appoint the members of the independent
redistricting commission plan for the State under this Act, so
long as the agency meets the requirements for nonpartisanship
under this subsection.
(6) Termination of agency specifically established for
redistricting.--If a State does not designate an existing
agency under paragraph (5) but instead establishes a new agency
to serve as the nonpartisan agency under this section, the new
agency shall terminate upon the enactment into law of the
redistricting plan for the State.
(7) Preservation of records.--The State shall ensure that
the records of the nonpartisan agency are retained in the
appropriate State archive in such manner as may be necessary to
enable the State to respond to any civil action brought with
respect to congressional redistricting in the State.
(8) Deadline.--The State shall meet the requirements of
this subsection not later than each October 15 of a year ending
in the numeral nine.
(b) Establishment of Select Committee on Redistricting.--
(1) In general.--Each State shall appoint a Select
Committee on Redistricting to approve or disapprove a selection
pool developed by the independent redistricting commission for
the State under section 202.
(2) Appointment.--The Select Committee on Redistricting for
a State under this subsection shall consist of the following
members:
(A) One member of the upper house of the State
legislature, who shall be appointed by the leader of
the party with the greatest number of seats in the
upper house.
(B) One member of the upper house of the State
legislature, who shall be appointed by the leader of
the party with the second greatest number of seats in
the upper house.
(C) One member of the lower house of the State
legislature, who shall be appointed by the leader of
the party with the greatest number of seats in the
lower house.
(D) One member of the lower house of the State
legislature, who shall be appointed by the leader of
the party with the second greatest number of seats in
the lower house.
(3) Special rule for states with unicameral legislature.--
In the case of a State with a unicameral legislature, the
Select Committee on Redistricting for the State under this
subsection shall consist of the following members:
(A) Two members of the State legislature appointed
by the chair of the political party of the State whose
candidate received the highest percentage of votes in
the most recent statewide election for Federal office
held in the State.
(B) Two members of the State legislature appointed
by the chair of the political party whose candidate
received the second highest percentage of votes in the
most recent statewide election for Federal office held
in the State.
(4) Deadline.--The State shall meet the requirements of
this subsection not later than each January 15 of a year ending
in the numeral zero.
(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may
be construed to prohibit the leader of any political party in a
legislature from appointment to the Select Committee on
Redistricting.
SEC. 205. REPORT ON DIVERSITY OF MEMBERSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT
REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS.
Not later than May 15 of a year ending in the numeral one, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a
report on the extent to which the memberships of independent
redistricting commissions for States established under this title with
respect to the immediately preceding year ending in the numeral zero
meet the diversity requirements as provided for in sections
201(a)(2)(B) and 202(b)(2).
TITLE III--ROLE OF COURTS IN DEVELOPMENT OF REDISTRICTING PLANS
SEC. 301. FAILURE BY STATE TO ENACT PLAN.
(a) Deadline for Enactment of Plan.--Each State shall enact a final
congressional redistricting plan following transmission of a notice of
apportionment to the President by the earliest of--
(1) the deadline set forth in State law;
(2) February 15 of the year in which regularly scheduled
general elections for Federal office are held in the State; or
(3) 90 days before the date of the next regularly scheduled
primary election for Federal office held in the State.
(b) Development of Plan by Court in Case of Missed Deadline.--If a
State has not enacted a final congressional redistricting plan by the
applicable deadline under subsection (a), or it appears likely that a
State will fail to enact a final congressional redistricting plan by
such deadline--
(1) any citizen of the State may file an action in the
United States district court for the applicable venue asking
the district court to assume jurisdiction;
(2) the United States district court for the applicable
venue, acting through a 3-judge court convened pursuant to
section 2284 of title 28, United States Code, shall have the
exclusive authority to develop and publish the congressional
redistricting plan for the State; and
(3) the final congressional redistricting plan developed
and published by the court under this section shall be deemed
to be enacted on the date on which the court publishes the
final congressional redistricting plan, as described in
subsection (e).
(c) Applicable Venue.--For purposes of this section, the
``applicable venue'' with respect to a State is the District of
Columbia or the judicial district in which the capital of the State is
located, as selected by the first party to file with the court
sufficient evidence that a State has failed to, or is reasonably likely
to fail to, enact a final redistricting plan for the State prior to the
expiration of the applicable deadline set forth in subsection (a).
(d) Procedures for Development of Plan.--
(1) Criteria.--In developing a redistricting plan for a
State under this section, the court shall adhere to the same
terms and conditions that applied (or that would have applied,
as the case may be) to the development of a plan by the State
under section 103.
(2) Access to information and records.--The court shall
have access to any information, data, software, or other
records and material that was used (or that would have been
used, as the case may be) by the State in carrying out its
duties under this title.
(3) Hearing; public participation.--In developing a
redistricting plan for a State, the court shall--
(A) hold one or more evidentiary hearings at which
interested members of the public may appear and be
heard and present testimony, including expert
testimony, in accordance with the rules of the court;
and
(B) consider other submissions and comments by the
public, including proposals for redistricting plans to
cover the entire State or any portion of the State.
(4) Use of special master.--To assist in the development
and publication of a redistricting plan for a State under this
section, the court may appoint a special master to make
recommendations to the court on possible plans for the State.
(e) Publication of Plan.--
(1) Public availability of initial plan.--Upon completing
the development of one or more initial redistricting plans, the
court shall make the plans available to the public at no cost,
and shall also make available the underlying data used to
develop the plans and a written evaluation of the plans against
external metrics (as described in section 203(d)).
(2) Publication of final plan.--At any time after the
expiration of the 14-day period which begins on the date the
court makes the plans available to the public under paragraph
(1), and taking into consideration any submissions and comments
by the public which are received during such period, the court
shall develop and publish the final redistricting plan for the
State.
(f) Use of Interim Plan.--In the event that the court is not able
to develop and publish a final redistricting plan for the State with
sufficient time for an upcoming election to proceed, the court may
develop and publish an interim redistricting plan which shall serve as
the redistricting plan for the State until the court develops and
publishes a final plan in accordance with this section. Nothing in this
subsection may be construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority
or discretion of the court to develop and publish the final
redistricting plan, including the discretion to make any changes the
court deems necessary to an interim redistricting plan.
(g) Appeals.--Review on appeal of any final or interim plan adopted
by the court in accordance with this section shall be governed by the
appellate process in section 402.
(h) Stay of State Proceedings.--The filing of an action under this
section shall act as a stay of any proceedings in State court with
respect to the State's congressional redistricting plan unless
otherwise ordered by the court.
SEC. 302. SPECIAL RULE FOR REDISTRICTING CONDUCTED UNDER ORDER OF
FEDERAL COURT.
If a Federal court requires a State to conduct redistricting
subsequent to an apportionment of Representatives in the State in order
to comply with the Constitution or to enforce the Voting Rights Act of
1965, section 203 shall apply with respect to the redistricting, except
that the court may revise any of the deadlines set forth in such
section if the court determines that a revision is appropriate in order
to provide for a timely enactment of a new redistricting plan for the
State.
TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 401. PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CARRYING OUT REDISTRICTING.
(a) Authorization of Payments.--Subject to subsection (d), not
later than 30 days after a State receives a State apportionment notice,
the Election Assistance Commission shall, subject to the availability
of appropriations provided pursuant to subsection (e), make a payment
to the State in an amount equal to the product of--
(1) the number of Representatives to which the State is
entitled, as provided under the notice; and
(2) $150,000.
(b) Use of Funds.--A State shall use the payment made under this
section to establish and operate the State's independent redistricting
commission, to implement the State redistricting plan, and to otherwise
carry out congressional redistricting in the State.
(c) No Payment to States With Single Member.--The Election
Assistance Commission shall not make a payment under this section to
any State which is not entitled to more than one Representative under
its State apportionment notice.
(d) Requiring Submission of Selection Pool as Condition of
Payment.--
(1) Requirement.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) and
paragraph (3), the Election Assistance Commission may not make
a payment to a State under this section until the State
certifies to the Commission that the nonpartisan agency
established or designated by a State under section 204(a) has,
in accordance with section 202(b)(1), submitted a selection
pool to the Select Committee on Redistricting for the State
established under section 204(b).
(2) Exception for states with existing commissions.--In the
case of a State which, pursuant to section 101(c), is exempt
from the requirements of section 101(a), the Commission may not
make a payment to the State under this section until the State
certifies to the Commission that its redistricting commission
meets the requirements of section 101(c).
(3) Exception for state of iowa.--In the case of the State
of Iowa, the Commission may not make a payment to the State
under this section until the State certifies to the Commission
that it will carry out congressional redistricting pursuant to
the State's apportionment notice in accordance with a plan
developed by the Iowa Legislative Services Agency with the
assistance of a Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission, as
provided under the law described in section 101(d).
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for payments under this
section.
SEC. 402. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Civil Enforcement.--
(1) Actions by attorney general.--The Attorney General may
bring a civil action for such relief as may be appropriate to
carry out this Act.
(2) Availability of private right of action.--Any citizen
of a State who is aggrieved by the failure of the State to meet
the requirements of the Constitution or Federal law, including
this Act, with respect to the State's congressional
redistricting, may bring a civil action in the United States
district court for the applicable venue for such relief as may
be appropriate to remedy the failure.
(3) Delivery of complaint to house and senate.--In any
action brought under this section, a copy of the complaint
shall be delivered promptly to the Clerk of the House of
Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate.
(4) Exclusive jurisdiction and applicable venue.--The
district courts of the United States shall have exclusive
jurisdiction to hear and determine claims asserting that a
congressional redistricting plan violates the requirements of
the Constitution or Federal law, including this Act. The
applicable venue for such an action shall be the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia or for the judicial
district in which the capital of the State is located, as
selected by the person bringing the action, except that the
applicable venue for a civil action that includes a claim that
a redistricting plan is in violation of section 103(c) shall be
the District of Columbia.
(5) Use of 3-judge court.--If an action under this section
raises statewide claims under the Constitution or this Act, the
action shall be heard by a 3-judge court convened pursuant to
section 2284 of title 28, United States Code.
(6) Review of final decision.--A final decision in an
action brought under this section shall be reviewable on appeal
by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit. There shall be no right of appeal in such
proceedings to any other court of appeals. Such appeal shall be
taken by the filing of a notice of appeal within 10 days of the
entry of the final decision. A final decision by the Court of
Appeals may be reviewed by the Supreme Court of the United
States by writ of certiorari.
(b) Expedited Consideration.--In any action brought under this
section, it shall be the duty of the district court, the United States
Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the Supreme
Court of the United States (if it chooses to hear the action) to
advance on the docket and to expedite to the greatest possible extent
the disposition of the action and appeal.
(c) Remedies.--
(1) Adoption of replacement plan.--
(A) In general.--If the district court in an action
under this section finds that the congressional
redistricting plan of a State violates, in whole or in
part, the requirements of this Act--
(i) the court shall adopt a replacement
congressional redistricting plan for the State
in accordance with the process set forth in
section 301; or
(ii) if circumstances warrant and no delay
to an upcoming regularly scheduled election for
the House of Representatives in the State would
result, the district court, in its discretion,
may allow a State to develop and propose a
remedial congressional redistricting plan for
review by the court to determine whether the
plan is in compliance with this Act, except
that--
(I) the State may not develop and
propose a remedial plan under this
clause if the court determines that the
congressional redistricting plan of the
State was enacted with discriminatory
intent in violation of the Constitution
or section 103(b); and
(II) nothing in this clause may be
construed to permit a State to use such
a remedial plan which has not been
approved by the court.
(B) Prohibiting use of plans in violation of
requirements.--No court shall order a State to use a
congressional redistricting plan which violates, in
whole or in part, the requirements of this Act, or to
conduct an election under terms and conditions which
violate, in whole or in part, the requirements of this
Act.
(C) Special rule in case final adjudication not
expected within 3 months of election.--If final
adjudication of an action under this section is not
reasonably expected to be completed at least 3 months
prior to the next regularly scheduled primary election
for the House of Representatives in the State, the
district court shall, as the balance of equities
warrant--
(i) develop, adopt, and order the use of an
interim congressional redistricting plan in
accordance with section 301(f) to address any
claims under this Act for which a party seeking
relief has demonstrated a substantial
likelihood of success; and
(ii) order adjustments to the timing of
primary elections for the House of
Representatives and other related deadlines, as
needed, to allow sufficient opportunity for
adjudication of the matter and adoption of a
remedial or replacement plan for use in the
next regularly scheduled general elections for
the House of Representatives.
(2) No stay pending appeal.--Notwithstanding the appeal of
an order finding that a congressional redistricting plan of a
State violates, in whole or in part, the requirements of this
Act, no stay shall issue which shall bar the development or
adoption of a replacement or remedial plan under this
subsection, as may be directed by the district court, pending
such appeal. If such a replacement or remedial plan has been
adopted, no appellate court may stay or otherwise enjoin the
use of such plan during the pendency of an appeal, except upon
an order holding, based on the record, that adoption of such
plan was an abuse of discretion.
(3) Special authority of court of appeals.--
(A) Ordering of new remedial plan.--If, upon
consideration of an appeal under this title, the Court
of Appeals determines that a plan does not comply with
the requirements of this Act, it shall direct that the
District Court promptly develop a new remedial plan
with assistance of a special master for consideration
by the Court of Appeals.
(B) Failure of district court to take timely
action.--If, at any point during the pendency of an
action under this section, the District Court fails to
take action necessary to permit resolution of the case
prior to the next regularly scheduled election for the
House of Representatives in the State or fails to grant
the relief described in paragraph (1)(C), any party may
seek a writ of mandamus from the Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia Circuit. The Court of Appeals
shall have jurisdiction over the motion for a writ of
mandamus and shall establish an expedited briefing and
hearing schedule for resolution of the motion. If the
Court of Appeals determines that a writ should be
granted, the Court of Appeals shall take any action
necessary, including developing a congressional
redistricting plan with assistance of a special master
to ensure that a remedial plan is adopted in time for
use in the next regularly scheduled election for the
House of Representatives in the State.
(4) Effect of enactment of replacement plan.--A State's
enactment of a redistricting plan which replaces a plan which
is the subject of an action under this section shall not be
construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority of the
court to adjudicate or grant relief with respect to any claims
or issues not addressed by the replacement plan, including
claims that the plan which is the subject of the action was
enacted, in whole or in part, with discriminatory intent, or
claims to consider whether relief should be granted under
section 3(c) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C.
10302(c)) based on the plan which is the subject of the action.
(d) Attorney's Fees.--In a civil action under this section, the
court may allow the prevailing party (other than the United States)
reasonable attorney fees, including litigation expenses, and costs.
(e) Relation to Other Laws.--
(1) Rights and remedies additional to other rights and
remedies.--The rights and remedies established by this section
are in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by
law, and neither the rights and remedies established by this
section nor any other provision of this Act shall supersede,
restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of
1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.).
(2) Voting rights act of 1965.--Nothing in this Act
authorizes or requires conduct that is prohibited by the Voting
Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.).
(f) Legislative Privilege.--No person, legislature, or State may
claim legislative privilege under either State or Federal law in a
civil action brought under this section or in any other legal
challenge, under either State or Federal law, to a redistricting plan
enacted under this Act.
(g) Removal.--
(1) In general.--At any time, a civil action brought in a
State court which asserts a claim for which the district courts
of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction under this
title may be removed by any party in the case, including an
intervenor, by filing, in the district court for an applicable
venue under this section, a notice of removal signed pursuant
to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure containing a
short and plain statement of the grounds for removal. Consent
of parties shall not be required for removal.
(2) Claims not within the original or supplemental
jurisdiction.--If a civil action removed in accordance with
paragraph (1) contains claims not within the original or
supplemental jurisdiction of the district court, the district
court shall sever all such claims and remand them to the State
court from which the action was removed.
SEC. 403. STATE APPORTIONMENT NOTICE DEFINED.
In this Act, the ``State apportionment notice'' means, with respect
to a State, the notice sent to the State from the Clerk of the House of
Representatives under section 22(b) of the Act entitled ``An Act to
provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to
provide for an apportionment of Representatives in Congress'', approved
June 18, 1929 (2 U.S.C. 2a), of the number of Representatives to which
the State is entitled.
SEC. 404. NO EFFECT ON ELECTIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL OFFICE.
Nothing in this Act or in any amendment made by this Act may be
construed to affect the manner in which a State carries out elections
for State or local office, including the process by which a State
establishes the districts used in such elections.
SEC. 405. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as provided in section 102, this Act and the amendments made
by this Act shall apply with respect to redistricting carried out
pursuant to the decennial census conducted during 2030 or any
succeeding decennial census.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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