Bill Text: IN HB1008 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Redistricting commission.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-07 - First reading: referred to Committee on Elections and Apportionment [HB1008 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-HB1008-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 2-1.5; IC 2-2.1-1-2.7; IC 3-3-2; IC 3-8.
Synopsis: Redistricting commission. Establishes a redistricting
commission to create, hold hearings on, take public comment about,
and recommend plans to redraw general assembly districts and
congressional districts. Requires the legislative services agency
(agency) to provide staff and administrative services to the
commission. Establishes standards to govern the commission and the
agency in the creation of redistricting plans. Provides that if the
Constitution of the State of Indiana does not require the general
assembly to establish legislative districts, the commission's
recommendations for legislative and congressional districts become the
plans that define those districts. Provides that, if the Constitution so
requires, the general assembly must meet and enact redistricting plans
before October 1 of a redistricting year. Authorizes the general
assembly to convene in a session to act on redistricting bills at times
other than the times the general assembly is currently authorized to
meet. Repeals the current law establishing a redistricting commission
for congressional redistricting. Appropriates from the state general
fund the amounts necessary to pay the expenses of implementing the
statute.
Effective: July 1, 2013.
January 7, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Elections and
Apportionment.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning the
general assembly and to make an appropriation.
ARTICLE 1.5. REDISTRICTING OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
Chapter 1. Definitions
Sec. 1. The definitions in this chapter apply throughout this article.
Sec. 2. "Agency" refers to the legislative services agency established by IC 2-5-1.1-7.
Sec. 3. "Appointing authority" refers to any of the following:
(1) The speaker of the house of representatives.
(2) The minority leader of the house of representatives.
(3) The president pro tempore of the senate.
(4) The minority leader of the senate.
Sec. 4. "Bureau" refers to the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.
Sec. 5. "Census data" means the population data that the Bureau is required to provide to the state under 13 U.S.C. 141.
Sec. 6. "Census year" refers to the year in which a federal decennial census is conducted.
Sec. 7. "Commission" refers to the redistricting commission established by IC 2-1.5-2-1.
Sec. 8. "Federal decennial census" refers to a federal decennial census conducted under 13 U.S.C. 141.
Sec. 9. "House of representatives" refers to the house of representatives of the general assembly.
Sec. 10. "Ideal district population" for a plan refers to the number equal to the quotient of the following, rounded to the nearest whole number:
(1) The numerator is the population of Indiana as reported by the most recent federal decennial census.
(2) The denominator is the number of districts required by this article for the plan.
Sec. 11. (a) "Plan" refers to any of the following:
(1) A plan for districts for the house of representatives.
(2) A plan for districts for the senate.
(3) A plan for congressional districts.
(b) A plan includes maps and written descriptions of the maps that define all the districts that a plan is required to have under this article.
Sec. 12. "Political subdivision" means a city, county, town, or township.
Sec. 13. "Redistricting year" refers to the year immediately following a census year.
Sec. 14. "Senate" refers to the senate of the general assembly.
Chapter 2. Redistricting Commission
Sec. 1. As provided in this chapter, a redistricting commission consisting of five (5) members is established.
Sec. 2. (a) Not later than January 15 of a redistricting year, each of the appointing authorities shall do the following:
(1) Appoint one (1) individual to be a commission member.
(2) Certify to the executive director of the agency the appointment of the individual to the commission.
(b) Not later than February 15 of a redistricting year, the members appointed under subsection (a) shall meet and appoint a fifth individual to be the commission's chair.
(c) If the commission does not appoint an individual as commission chair before March 1 of a redistricting year, the chief
justice of the supreme court shall appoint a fifth individual to be
the commission's chair. The chief justice shall:
(1) make the appointment before March 15 of the redistricting
year; and
(2) certify the appointment to the executive director of the
agency.
(d) The individual appointed commission chair must have the
same qualifications as the other commission members.
Sec. 3. To serve on the commission, an individual must be a
resident of Indiana.
Sec. 4. An individual may not serve on the commission if the
individual has been any of the following at any time less than six (6)
years before the individual's appointment to the commission:
(1) A member of the general assembly or the Congress of the
United States.
(2) A candidate for election to the general assembly or the
Congress of the United States.
(3) The holder of a state office (as defined in IC 3-5-2-48).
(4) An appointed public official.
(5) The chairman or treasurer of a candidate's committee of
a candidate for election to the general assembly or the
Congress of the United States as required by IC 3-9-1 or
federal law.
(6) An individual registered as a lobbyist under IC 2-7.
Sec. 5. (a) Before undertaking duties as a commission member,
an individual appointed under section 2 or 8 of this chapter must
do each of the following:
(1) Take an oath of office.
(2) Make an affirmation that the individual will:
(A) apply the provisions of this article in an honest and
independent manner; and
(B) uphold public confidence in the integrity of the
redistricting process.
(3) Make a written pledge that the individual will not be a
candidate for:
(A) election to the general assembly; or
(B) selection to fill a vacancy in the general assembly;
at any time before the second election for members of the
general assembly after the individual's appointment to the
commission.
(b) A member's oath, affirmation, and pledge shall be filed with
the agency.
Sec. 6. An individual serves as a commission member until the earlier of the following:
(1) The individual vacates the individual's membership on the commission.
(2) The appointment of a new commission under this chapter following a federal decennial census.
Sec. 7. A commission member may be removed from office for substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct in office, or inability to discharge the duties of office as provided by law for the removal of other public officers.
Sec. 8. (a) If the position of commission chair becomes vacant, the commission shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy not later than fifteen (15) days after the vacancy occurs. If the commission does not make the appointment as provided in this subsection, the chief justice shall:
(1) make the appointment not later than thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs; and
(2) certify the appointment to the executive director of the agency.
(b) If a vacancy other than a vacancy described in subsection (a) occurs on the commission, the leader of the caucus whose leader appointed the member whose position is vacant shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy not later than fifteen (15) days after the vacancy occurs.
Sec. 9. The affirmative vote of three (3) commission members is necessary for the commission to take official action.
Sec. 10. Each commission member is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage, and travel allowances paid to members of the general assembly serving on interim study committees established by the legislative council.
Sec. 11. The agency shall provide the commission with staff and administrative services.
Sec. 12. The amounts necessary to pay the expenses of the commission and the agency to implement this article are continuously appropriated to the agency from the state general fund.
Chapter 3. Redistricting Procedure
Sec. 1. (a) Before January 1 of a redistricting year, the agency shall acquire any hardware, software, and supplies necessary to assist the commission in the performance of the commission's duties under this article.
(b) At any time, the agency may acquire additional hardware,
software, and supplies the executive director of the agency
considers necessary to assist the commission in performance of the
commission's duties under this article.
Sec. 2. Not later than March 15 of a redistricting year, the
commission's chair shall convene the commission to do the
following:
(1) Organize the commission.
(2) Receive reports from the agency concerning the following:
(A) Information relating to the receipt of census data from
the bureau.
(B) The readiness of the agency to assist the commission's
work.
(C) Any other matter on which a report is requested by the
commission.
(3) Provide initial instructions to the agency regarding the
commission's work.
(4) Schedule hearings required or permitted under section 5
of this chapter.
(5) Schedule other meetings the commission considers
necessary.
(6) Schedule the receipt of maps from the public.
Sec. 3. If the agency must make a decision on a question for
which no clearly applicable provision of this article or instruction
of the commission provides an answer, the executive director of the
agency shall submit a written request to the commission for
direction.
Sec. 4. (a) The agency shall do the following:
(1) Create maps of legislative district plans and congressional
district plans that conform to this article and the
commission's instructions.
(2) Prepare written descriptions of the maps created under
subdivision (1).
(3) Evaluate maps submitted by the public for conformance
with the standards set forth in IC 2-1.5-4.
(b) The agency shall produce as many different plans as the
commission instructs:
(1) not earlier than May 1 of a redistricting year; and
(2) not later than May 15 of the redistricting year.
(c) The agency shall publish the maps and descriptions:
(1) prepared for the commission by the agency; and
(2) submitted to the commission from the public;
as directed by the commission not later than May 15 of a
redistricting year.
Sec. 5. (a) As directed by the commission, the agency shall
receive for the commission written public comments regarding the
plans after publication of the plans.
(b) Not later than June 30 of a redistricting year, the
commission shall conduct at least one (1) public hearing in each of
the following regions of Indiana, as determined by the commission:
(1) Northern Indiana.
(2) Central Indiana.
(3) Southern Indiana.
(c) The commission may hold hearings in addition to the
hearings required by subsection (b).
(d) The commission shall do the following at any hearings held
under this section:
(1) Explain the redistricting procedure.
(2) Present the plans prepared for the commission by the
agency.
(3) Have available the plans submitted by the public and the
agency's evaluation of those plans.
(4) Hear public comments and suggestions.
(e) The commission may take other actions the commission
considers appropriate to do the following:
(1) Explain the redistricting procedure or the plans to the
public.
(2) Receive public comments and suggestions.
Sec. 6. (a) Not later than August 1 of a redistricting year, the
commission shall meet to adopt a report to the general assembly.
The report must include the following:
(1) A summary of the commission's and the agency's
preparation for the commission's work.
(2) A description of the hearings held under section 5 of this
chapter.
(3) A summary of the public comments and suggestions
received in writing and at the hearings.
(4) The commission's recommendation to the general
assembly for each of the following:
(A) A district plan for the house of representatives.
(B) A district plan for the senate.
(C) A congressional district plan.
(5) Maps for each plan, including both a statewide map and a
map for each district.
(6) A bill that would enact each of the plans. This subdivision
applies only if the Constitution of the State of Indiana
requires the general assembly to establish legislative districts.
(b) The commission shall recommend to the general assembly
the plan that the commission considers the best in meeting the
standards set forth in IC 2-1.5-4.
(c) The commission may include any other information in the
report that the commission considers useful to explain the
commission's work or recommendations.
(d) The report required by this section must be submitted to the
legislative council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
Sec. 7. (a) This section does not apply if the Constitution of the
State of Indiana requires the general assembly to establish
legislative districts.
(b) The agency shall file the commission's report under section
6 of this chapter with the secretary of state not later than August
15 of a redistricting year.
(c) The commission's recommendations become the plans for the
districts for the house of representatives, for the senate, and for
congressional districts, beginning with the first general election
held after the redistricting year.
Chapter 4. Redistricting Standards
Sec. 1. Districts created for the house of representatives, the
senate, and the United States House of Representatives must
comply with the standards of this chapter.
Sec. 2. (a) A plan for house of representatives districts must
provide for one hundred (100) districts.
(b) A plan for senate districts must provide for fifty (50)
districts.
(c) A plan for congressional districts must provide for as many
districts as are allocated to Indiana under 2 U.S.C. 2a.
Sec. 3. Districts shall be established on the basis of population.
Sec. 4. The population of a district of the house of
representatives or the senate may not deviate from the ideal
district population by more than one percent (1%) of the ideal
district population.
Sec. 5. (a) Districts must be composed of contiguous territory.
(b) Areas that meet only at the point of adjoining corners are
not considered contiguous.
Sec. 6. Districts must be as compact as possible to the extent
practicable while considering other provisions of this chapter and
the federal Voting Rights Act.
Sec. 7. Districts must not breach precinct boundaries.
Sec. 8. To the extent possible consistent with sections 2 through 6 of this chapter, district boundaries of general assembly districts must coincide with the boundaries of Indiana political subdivisions as follows:
(1) The commission shall minimize the number of counties and cities divided among more than one (1) district.
(2) Except as provided in subdivision (3), if there is a choice between political subdivisions to be divided, a more populous political subdivision shall be divided before a less populous political subdivision is divided.
(3) Subdivision (2) does not apply to a legislative district boundary drawn along a county line that passes through a municipality that lies in more than one (1) county.
Sec. 9. (a) In evaluating plans for recommendation, the commission shall consider the effect that a plan has on language minority groups and racial minority groups as required by the federal Voting Rights Act.
(b) The commission may use political data at least to the extent necessary to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act.
(b) The definitions in IC 2-1.5-1 apply throughout this section.
(c) Before October 1 of a redistricting year, the general assembly shall convene and enact bills to establish the following:
(1) House of representatives districts.
(2) Senate districts.
(3) Congressional districts.
(d) A bill to enact a redistricting plan recommended by the redistricting commission under IC 2-1.5-3 must be introduced in and considered by each house of the general assembly, without amendment, except amendments of a technical nature.
(e) Unless the general assembly has enacted bills described in subsection (c) at:
(1) a session convened under another section of this chapter; or
(2) a special session called by the governor;
the general assembly may not consider a matter that is not relevant to the legislation described in subsection (c) during a session convened under this section.
(b) Each petition must contain the following:
(1) The signature of each petitioner.
(2) The name of each petitioner legibly printed.
(3) The residence mailing address of each petitioner.
(c) This subsection applies to a petition filed during the period:
(1) beginning on the date that a congressional district plan has been adopted under
(2) ending on the date that
The petition must be signed by at least four thousand five hundred (4,500) voters of Indiana, including at least five hundred (500) voters from each congressional district created by the most recent congressional district plan adopted under
(b) Each petition must contain the following:
(1) The signature of each petitioner.
(2) The name of each petitioner legibly printed.
(3) The residence mailing address of each petitioner.
(c) This subsection applies to a petition filed during the period:
(1) beginning on the date that a congressional district plan has been adopted under
(2) ending on the date that
The petition must be signed by at least four thousand five hundred (4,500) voters of Indiana, including at least five hundred (500) voters from each congressional district created by the most recent congressional district plan adopted under
