DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 504 Original 2019 Regular Session Franklin
Abstract: Creates the Reapportionment Transparency Act, including provisions for a study and
advisory commission, required public hearings and broadcasts thereof regarding the
redistricting process, and 5-day delays prior to the final passage of a redistricting bill during
which an additional public hearing is held regarding the content of the bill and the factors
involved.
Proposed law provides for the Reapportionment Transparency Act as follows:
(1)In each year ending in zero, requires the legislature to establish a study and advisory
commission to study redistricting and make recommendations to the legislature prior to Jan.
1st of each year ending in one. Requires the recommendations to be based on past
redistricting proceedings, best redistricting practices established in other states, and
redistricting tools and resources that have become available since the most recently
completed redistricting cycle.
(2)Provides that the study and advisory commission shall consist of a member of the House and
Governmental Affairs Committee affiliated with the Democratic Party; a member of the
House and Governmental Affairs Committee affiliated with the Republican Party; a person
appointed at-large by the House and Governmental Affairs Committee; a member of the
Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee affiliated with the Democratic Party; a member
of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee affiliated with the Republican Party; a
person appointed at-large by the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee; a
representative of the office of the governor selected by the governor; a representative of the
Dept. of State selected by the secretary of state; and an academic or legal professional with
relevant knowledge and experience selected by the speaker of the House, the president of the
Senate, and the governor acting together.
(3)Requires the legislature to conduct at least 10 public hearings on redistricting prior to the
legislative session during which specified redistricting plans are to be enacted; give the
public at least seven days notice prior to each public hearing; and conduct outreach activities
regarding each public hearing in each state legislative district.
(4)Requires the legislature at each public hearing to educate the public about the
reapportionment and redistricting process, gather public input on the legislative process and
the specific map-drawing process, and broadcast audio and video of the hearing live via the
internet. (5)Requires the legislature to record each hearing, maintain audio and video of each hearing for
a minimum of three years, and make the recorded hearings available to the public for viewing
through a link clearly identified on the legislative website.
(6)Prohibits the consideration of a redistricting bill on final passage until no fewer than five
legislative days have intervened after the bill has been reported from a committee, including
a conference committee. Defines "redistricting bill".
(7)After being reported by committee and prior to consideration of a redistricting bill on final
passage, requires the appropriate legislative committee to hold a public hearing to provide
information about the process and factors considered that resulted in the redistricting plan
contained in the bill and requires the hearing to be broadcast, recorded, and maintained in the
same manner as the other required hearings.
(Adds R.S. 18:1961-1963)