EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0203*
HOUSE BILL 203
G1 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 5lr0675
HB 182/24 – HRU (PRE–FILED)
By: Delegate Bouchat
Requested: July 29, 2024
Introduced and read first time: January 8, 2025
Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Districting – Single–Member Districts and Legislative and Congressional 2
Redistricting and Apportionment Convention 3
FOR the purpose of requiring that each legislative district established for the purpose of 4
electing members of the House of Delegates consist of a certain number of 5
single–member delegate districts; requiring the General Assembly to enact a law 6
establishing and governing a Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and 7
Apportionment Convention to establish legislative and congressional districts and 8
establishing certain requirements regarding the Redistricting Convention; providing 9
that plans certified by the Redistricting Convention become law on certain dates 10
under certain circumstances; establishing the Legislative and Congressional 11
Redistricting and Apportionment Convention; authorizing the General Assembly to 12
challenge the legality of a plan certified by the Redistricting Convention; requiring 13
the Supreme Court of Maryland to take certain actions under certain circumstances 14
regarding legislative and congressional districting; and generally relating to 15
legislative and congressional districting. 16
BY proposing an amendment to the Maryland Constitution 17
Article III – Legislative Department 18
Section 3 and 5 19
BY proposing an amendment to the Maryland Constitution 20
Article IV – Judiciary Department 21
Section 14 22
BY adding to 23
Article – Election Law 24
Section 8–7A–01 through 8–7A–11 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 7A. The 25
Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Convention” 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27 2 HOUSE BILL 203
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 1
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 2
(Three–fifths of all the members elected to each of the two Houses concurring), That it be 3
proposed that the Maryland Constitution read as follows: 4
Article III – Legislative Department 5
3. 6
The State shall be divided by law into legislative districts for the election of members 7
of the Senate and the House of Delegates. Each legislative district shall contain one (1) 8
Senator and three (3) Delegates. [Nothing herein shall prohibit the subdivision of any one 9
or more] EACH of the legislative districts ESTABLISHED for the purpose of electing 10
members of the House of Delegates [into] SHALL CONSIST OF three (3) single–member 11
delegate districts [or one (1) single–member delegate district and one (1) multi–member 12
delegate district]. 13
5. 14
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “REDISTRICTING CONVENTION” MEANS THE 15
LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND APPORTIONMENT 16
CONVENTION. 17
(B) SUBJECT TO THE REQUIR EMENTS OF THIS SECTI ON, THE GENERAL 18
ASSEMBLY SHALL ENACT A LAW ESTABLISHING AND GOVERNING A LEGISLATIVE 19
AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND APPORTIONMENT CONVENTION. 20
(C) (1) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1 OF THE YEAR IMMEDIAT ELY FOLLOWING 21
THE DECENNIAL CENSUS , THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE E LECTED BY 22
QUALIFIED VO TERS OF THE STATE ON A DATE DETER MINED BY THE STATE BOARD 23
OF ELECTIONS. 24
(2) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL CONS IST OF 188 25
MEMBERS. 26
(3) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , ON 27
OR BEFORE JULY 1 OF THE YEAR OF THE D ECENNIAL CENSUS , THE STATE BOARD 28
OF ELECTIONS SHALL APPOR TION THE NUMBER OF S EATS FOR THE REDISTRICTING 29
CONVENTION AMONG THE COUNTIES ACCORDING T O EACH COUNTY ’S POPULATION 30
COUNT IN THE IMMEDIA TELY PRECEDING DECEN NIAL CENSUS. 31
(II) EACH COUNTY SHALL HAV E AT LEAST THREE SEA TS ON THE 32
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 33 HOUSE BILL 203 3
(4) EACH MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE 1
ELECTED AT LARGE BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS IN THE COUNTY THAT T HE MEMBER 2
SEEKS TO REPRESENT . 3
(D) (1) TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING 4
CONVENTIO N, AN INDIVIDUAL MUST : 5
(I) BE A REGISTERED VOTER WHO, FOR AT LEAST 3 YEARS 6
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G THE DATE OF ELECTI ON, HAS BEEN: 7
1. CONTINUOUSLY REGISTER ED IN THE STATE WITH 8
THE SAME POLITICAL P ARTY; OR 9
2. CONTINUOUSLY NOT REGI STERED WITH A P RINCIPAL 10
POLITICAL PARTY ; 11
(II) BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD AT THE TIM E OF ELECTION; 12
(III) HAVE RESIDED IN THE STATE FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR 13
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G THE DATE OF THE ME MBER’S ELECTION; AND 14
(IV) HAVE RESIDED AND MAIN TAINED A PLACE OF RESIDENCE 15
IN THE COUNTY THAT T HE INDIVIDUAL SEEKS TO REPRESENT FOR AT LEAST 6 16
MONTHS IMMEDIATELY P RECEDING THE DATE OF THE ELECTION . 17
(2) AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE A CA NDIDATE FOR 18
MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IF THE IND IVIDUAL IS: 19
(I) THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDA TE FOR THAT OFFICE ; 20
(II) A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM THE 21
STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE ; 22
(III) A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A CANDIDA TE 23
FOR THAT OFFICE ; 24
(IV) AN ELECTED LOCAL GOVE RNMENT OFFICIAL OR A 25
CANDIDATE FOR AN ELE CTED LOCAL GOVERNMEN T OFFICE; 26
(V) AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYE E OF A POLITICAL PAR TY OR 27
POLITICAL COMMITTEE ; 28
4 HOUSE BILL 203
(VI) 1. A CONTRACTOR PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL 1
SERVICES TO: 2
A. THE GOVERNOR OR A C ANDIDATE FOR THAT OF FICE; 3
B. A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A 4
CANDIDATE FOR THAT O FFICE; OR 5
C. A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM 6
THE STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE ; OR 7
2. A CURRENT OR FORMER EM PLOYEE OF OR A 8
CONSULTANT TO AN INDIVIDUAL DESCRI BED IN ITEM 1 OF THIS ITEM; 9
(VII) AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY M EMBER OF AN INDIVIDU AL 10
DESCRIBED IN ITEM (I), (II), (III), (IV), OR (V) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ; 11
(VIII) A STAFF MEMBER OF : 12
1. THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDA TE FOR THAT OFFICE ; 13
2. A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A 14
CANDIDATE FOR THAT O FFICE; 15
3. A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM 16
THE STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE ; OR 17
4. AN ELECTED LOCAL GOVE RNMENT OFFICIAL OR A 18
CANDIDATE FOR AN ELE CTED LOCAL GOVERNMEN T OFFICE; OR 19
(IX) A CURRENT OR FORMER RE GISTERED LOBBYIST . 20
(3) A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION MAY NOT BE 21
ELECTED OR APPOINTED AS A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS OR MEMBER OF THE 22
GENERAL ASSEMBLY DURING THE F IRST TERM OF OFFICE FOR WHICH THE 23
CONGRESSIONAL OR LEGI SLATIVE PLAN CERTIFI ED BY THE REDISTRICTING 24
CONVENTION TAKES EFFE CT. 25
(E) (1) [Following each] ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 OF EACH YEAR 26
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWIN G THE decennial census of the United States [and after public 27
hearings, the Governor shall prepare a plan], THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL 28
ADOPT PLANS setting forth the boundaries of the legislative districts for electing [of] the 29 HOUSE BILL 203 5
members of the Senate and the House of Delegates AND THE CONGRESSIONA L 1
DISTRICTS FOR ELECTI NG REPRESENTA TIVES TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. 2
[The Governor shall present the plan to the President of the Senate and Speaker of 3
the House of Delegates who shall introduce the Governor’s plan as a joint resolution to the 4
General Assembly, not later than the first day of its regular session in the second year 5
following every census, and the Governor may call a special session for the presentation of 6
the plan prior to the regular session. The plan shall conform to Sections 2, 3 and 4 of this 7
Article. Following each decennial census the General Assembly may by joint resolution 8
adopt a plan setting forth the boundaries of the legislative districts for the election of 9
members of the Senate and the House of Delegates, which plan shall conform to Sections 10
2, 3 and 4 of this Article. If a plan has been adopted by the General Assembly by the 45th 11
day after the opening of the regular session of the General Assembly in the second year 12
following every census, the plan adopted by the General Assembly shall become law. If no 13
plan has been adopted by the General Assembly for these purposes by the 45th day after 14
the opening of the regular session of the General Assembly in the second year following 15
every census, the Governor’s plan presented to the General Assembly shall become law.] 16
(2) ON ADOPTION OF A PLAN , THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION 17
SHALL: 18
(I) CERTIFY THAT THE PLAN IS THE PLAN ADOPTED BY THE 19
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION; AND 20
(II) SEND THE CERTIFIED PL AN TO THE PRESIDING OFFICERS 21
OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 22
(3) (I) ON RECEIPT OF A CERTIFI ED PLAN SENT UNDER 23
PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PRESIDING OFFICE RS SHALL PREPARE 24
THE PLAN FOR CONSIDE RATION BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 25
(II) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY A MAJORITY VOTE O F EACH 26
OF THE TWO HOUSES, MAY CHALLENGE THE LEGALITY OF THE CERT IFIED PLAN. 27
(III) IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTES TO CHA LLENGE THE 28
CERTIFIED PLAN , THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL : 29
1. CONSIDER THE CHALLENG E; AND 30
2. WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 31
VOTE, ISSUE A DECISION THA T AFFIRMS THE PLAN AS MEETING ALL 32
CONSTITUTIONAL AND S TATUTORY REQUIREMENT S OR REJECTS THE PLA N AS 33
FAILING TO MEET CONS TITUTIONAL AND STATU TORY REQUIREMENTS . 34
6 HOUSE BILL 203
(IV) IF THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND REJECTS THE 1
PLAN, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL ADOP T AND CERTIFY A NEW PLAN 2
THAT ADDRESSES THE R ULING OF THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND. 3
(4) A PLAN CONSIDERED BY T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL BE 4
TREATED IN THE SAME MANNER AS A BILL FOR PURPOSES OF PUBLICAT ION, 5
CODIFICATION, NOTIFICATION, AND DISTRIBUTION . 6
(5) A PLAN CERTIFIED BY TH E REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL 7
BECOME LAW : 8
(I) ON THE 31ST DAY AFTER CERTIFI CATION IF THE GENERAL 9
ASSEMBLY DOES NOT CHA LLENGE THE PLAN ; OR 10
(II) ON THE DAY THAT THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND 11
ISSUES A DECISION AF FIRMING THE PLAN IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 12
CHALLENGED THE PLAN . 13
(F) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL PETI TION THE SUPREME 14
COURT OF MARYLAND TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT S OR CONGRESSIONAL 15
DISTRICTS ACCORDING TO THE STANDARDS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 3 AND 4 OF 16
THIS ARTICLE OF THIS CONSTITUTION IF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION FAILS 17
TO ADOPT AND CERTIFY A PLAN UNDER THIS SE CTION. 18
(G) Upon petition of any registered voter, the Supreme Court of Maryland shall 19
have original jurisdiction to review the legislative districting OR CONGRESSIONAL 20
DISTRICTING of the State and may grant appropriate relief, if it finds that the districting 21
of the State is not consistent with requirements of either the Constitution of the United 22
States of America, or the Constitution of Maryland. 23
Article IV – Judiciary Department 24
14. 25
The Supreme Court of Maryland shall be composed of seven justices, one from the 26
First Appellate Judicial Circuit consisting of Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen 27
Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; one from the Second 28
Appellate Judicial Circuit consisting of Baltimore and Harford Counties; one from the Third 29
Appellate Judicial Circuit, consisting of Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, and 30
Washington Counties; one from the Fourth Appellate Judicial Circuit, consisting of Prince 31
George’s County; one from the Fifth Appellate Judicial Circuit, consisting of Anne Arundel, 32
Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties; one from the Sixth Appellate Judicial Circuit, 33
consisting of Baltimore City; and one from the Seventh Appellate Judicial Circuit, 34
consisting of Montgomery County. The Justices of the Supreme Court of Maryland shall be 35
residents of their respective Appellate Judicial Circuits. The term of each Justice of the 36 HOUSE BILL 203 7
Supreme Court of Maryland shall begin on the date of the [Justice’s] JUSTICE’S 1
qualification. One of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Maryland shall be designated by 2
the Governor as the Chief Justice. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Maryland shall 3
be co–extensive with the limits of the State and such as now is or may hereafter be 4
prescribed by law. EXCLUSIVE AMONG THE STATE COURTS, THE SUPREME COURT OF 5
MARYLAND SHALL HAVE O RIGINAL JURISDICTION : (1) TO ESTABLISH THE 6
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT PLAN AND THE CONGRES SIONAL DISTRICT PLAN IN THE 7
EVENT THAT A PLAN IS NOT ENACTED UNDER SECTION 5 OF ARTICLE III OF THIS 8
CONSTITUTION; AND (2) TO CONSIDER A PETITI ON SEEKING REVIEW OF THE 9
LEGALITY OF A PLAN T O ESTABLISH LEGISLAT IVE OR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS 10
ENACTED UNDER SECTION 5 OF ARTICLE III OF THIS CONSTITUTION. It shall hold its 11
sessions in the City of Annapolis at such time or times as it shall from time to time by rule 12
prescribe. Its session or sessions shall continue not less than ten months in each year, if 13
the business before it shall so require, and it shall be competent for the justices temporarily 14
to transfer their sittings elsewhere upon sufficient cause. The salary of each Justice of the 15
Supreme Court of Maryland shall be that now or hereafter prescribed by the General 16
Assembly and shall not be diminished during the [Justice’s] JUSTICE’S continuance in 17
office. Five of the justices shall constitute a quorum, and five justices shall sit in each case 18
unless the Supreme Court of Maryland shall direct that an additional justice or justices sit 19
for any case. The concurrence of a majority of those sitting shall be sufficient for the decision 20
of any cause, and an equal division of those sitting in a case has the effect of affirming the 21
decision appealed from if there is no application for reargument as hereinafter provided. In 22
any case where there is an equal division or a three to two division of the Supreme Court 23
of Maryland a reargument before the full Court of seven justices shall be granted to the 24
losing party upon application as a matter of right. 25
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 26
as follows: 27
Article – Election Law 28
SUBTITLE 7A. THE LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND 29
APPORTIONMENT CONVENTION. 30
8–7A–01. 31
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANING S 32
INDICATED. 33
(B) “PLAN” MEANS THE PROPOSED L EGISLATIVE DISTRICT PLAN OR THE 34
PROPOSED CONGRESSION AL DISTRICT PLAN ADO PTED BY THE REDISTRICTING 35
CONVENTION. 36
(C) “REDISTRICTING CONVENTION” MEANS THE LEGISLATIVE AND 37
CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND APPORTIONMENT CONVENTION. 38 8 HOUSE BILL 203
8–7A–02. 1
IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT : 2
(1) NEITHER THE LEGISLAT IVE DISTRICTS NOR TH E CONGRESSIONAL 3
DISTRICTS BE ESTABLI SHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF FAVORING OR DISCR IMINATING 4
AGAINST AN INCUMBENT OFFICEHOLDER , A CANDIDATE FOR OFFICE , OR A 5
POLITICAL PARTY ; AND 6
(2) THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS SUBTITLE COMPLY W ITH AND 7
IMPLEMENT THE PROVIS IONS OF ARTICLE III, §§ 2, 3, 4, AND 5 AND ARTICLE IV, § 8
14 OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION. 9
8–7A–03. 10
THERE IS A LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND 11
APPORTIONMENT CONVENTION. 12
8–7A–04. 13
(A) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1, 2031, AND MARCH 1 EACH YEAR ENDING IN 14
THE NUMERAL 1 THEREAFTER , THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE 15
ELECTED BY QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE STATE ON A DATE DETER MINED BY THE 16
STATE BOARD. 17
(B) THE ELECTION OF MEMBE RS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IS 18
DESIGNED TO PRODUCE A REDISTRICTING CONVENTION THAT IS : 19
(1) INDEPENDENT FROM LEG ISLATIVE INFLUENCE ; AND 20
(2) REASONABLY REPRESENT ATIVE OF THE STATE’S GEOGRAPHICAL 21
MAKEUP. 22
8–7A–05. 23
(A) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION CONSISTS O F 188 MEMBERS. 24
(B) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , ON OR 25
BEFORE JULY 1, 2030, AND JULY 1 EACH YEAR ENDING IN THE NUMERAL 0 26
THEREAFTER , THE STATE BOARD SHALL APPORTION THE NUMBER OF SEATS FOR 27
THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION AMONG THE COUNTIES ACCORDING T O EACH 28
COUNTY’S POPULATION COUNT I N THE IMMEDIATELY PR ECEDING DECENNIAL 29 HOUSE BILL 203 9
CENSUS. 1
(2) EACH COUNTY SHALL HAV E AT LEAST THREE SEA TS ON THE 2
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 3
(C) EACH MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE 4
ELECTED AT LARGE BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS IN THE COUNTY THAT T HE MEMBER 5
SEEKS TO REPRESENT . 6
(D) THE MEMBERS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL CONS IST 7
OF THE CANDIDATES WH O RECEIVE THE HIGHES T NUMBER OF VOTES CA ST WITHIN 8
EACH COUNTY . 9
(E) (1) TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING 10
CONVENTION, AN INDIVIDUAL MUST : 11
(I) BE A REGISTERED VOTE R WHO, FOR AT LEAST 3 YEARS 12
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G THE DATE OF ELECTI ON, HAS BEEN: 13
1. CONTINUOUSLY REGISTE RED IN THE STATE WITH 14
THE SAME POLITICAL P ARTY; OR 15
2. CONTINUOUSLY NOT REG ISTERED WITH A PRINC IPAL 16
POLITICAL PARTY ; 17
(II) BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD AT THE TIM E OF ELECTION; 18
(III) HAVE RESIDED IN THE STATE FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR 19
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G THE DATE OF THE ELECTION ; AND 20
(IV) HAVE RESIDED AND MAI NTAINED A PLACE OF R ESIDENCE IN 21
THE COUNTY THAT THE INDIVIDUAL SEEKS TO REPRESENT FOR AT LEA ST 6 MONTHS 22
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G THE DATE OF THE EL ECTION. 23
(2) AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE A CA NDIDATE FOR 24
MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IF THE IND IVIDUAL IS: 25
(I) THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDA TE FOR THAT OFFICE ; 26
(II) A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM THE 27
STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE ; 28
(III) A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A CANDIDA TE 29 10 HOUSE BILL 203
FOR THAT OFFICE ; 1
(IV) AN ELECTED LOCAL GOV ERNMENT OFFICIAL OR A 2
CANDIDATE FOR AN ELE CTED LOCAL GOVERNMEN T OFFICE; 3
(V) AN OFFICER OR EMPLOY EE OF A POLITICAL PA RTY OR 4
POLITICAL COMMITTEE ; 5
(VI) 1. A CONTRACTOR PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL 6
SERVICES TO: 7
A. THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDA TE FOR THAT OFFICE ; 8
B. A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A 9
CANDIDATE FOR THAT O FFICE; OR 10
C. A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM 11
THE STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE ; OR 12
2. A CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEE OF OR A 13
CONSULTANT TO AN IND IVIDUAL DESCRIBED IN ITEM 1 OF THIS ITEM; 14
(VII) AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER OF AN INDIVID UAL 15
DESCRIBED IN ITEM (I), (II), (III), (IV), OR (V) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ; 16
(VIII) A STAFF MEMBER OF : 17
1. THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDA TE FOR THAT OFFICE ; 18
2. A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A 19
CANDIDATE FOR THAT O FFICE; 20
3. A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS EL ECTED FROM 21
THE STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE ; OR 22
4. AN ELECTED LOCAL GOV ERNMENT OFFICIAL OR A 23
CANDIDATE FOR AN ELE CTED LOCAL GOVERNMEN T OFFICE; OR 24
(IX) A CURRENT OR FORMER REGISTERED LOBBYIST . 25
(3) A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION MAY NOT BE 26
ELECTED OR APPOINTED AS A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS OR MEMBER OF THE 27
GENERAL ASSEMBLY DURING THE F IRST TERM OF OFFICE FOR WHICH THE 28 HOUSE BILL 203 11
CONGRESSIONAL OR LEG ISLATIVE PLAN CERTIF IED BY THE REDISTRICTING 1
CONVENTION TAKES EFFECT . 2
(F) (1) THE TERM OF A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION 3
CONTINUES UNTIL LEGI SLATIVE AND CONGRESS IONAL PLANS BECOME L AW. 4
(2) A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IS ELIGIBL E 5
FOR REELECTION . 6
(G) EACH MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL APPL Y 7
THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS SUBTITLE IN A MAN NER THAT IS IMPARTIA L AND THAT 8
REINFORCES PUBLIC CO NFIDENCE IN THE INTE GRITY OF THE REDISTR ICTING 9
PROCESS. 10
(H) A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION: 11
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF T HE 12
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION; BUT 13
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMENT FOR EXPENSE S UNDER THE 14
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 15
8–7A–06. 16
(A) THE 188 MEMBERS ELECTED UNDE R THIS SECTION SHALL SERVE AS 17
THE MEMBERS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION BEGINNING ON THE DATE 18
THEY ARE ELECTED UNT IL THE DATE ON WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE AND 19
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRI CTING PLANS BECOME L AW. 20
(B) IF THERE IS A VACANCY IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE REDISTRICTING 21
CONVENTION, THE LOSING CANDIDATE FROM TH E SAME COUNTY WHO RE CEIVED 22
THE NEXT HIGHEST NUM BER OF VOTES SHALL F ILL THE VACANCY FOR THE 23
REMAINDER OF THE TER M. 24
(C) (1) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION MAY REMOVE A MEMBER: 25
(I) FOR NEGLECT OF DUTY ; 26
(II) FOR MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE; 27
(III) FOR A DISABILITY THA T MAKES THE MEMBER U NABLE TO 28
DISCHARGE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICE ; 29
12 HOUSE BILL 203
(IV) FOR FAILING TO MAINT AIN THE QUALIFICATIO NS UNDER § 1
8–7A–05 OF THIS SUBTITLE; OR 2
(V) IF THE MEMBER IS CON VICTED OF OR PLEADS GUILTY OR 3
NOLO CONTENDERE WITH RESPECT TO A FELONY OR CRIME INVOLVING M ORAL 4
TURPITUDE, WHETHER OR NOT ANY A PPEAL OR OTHER PROCE EDING IS PENDING TO 5
HAVE THE CONVICTION OR PLEA SET ASIDE . 6
(2) BEFORE REMOVING A MEM BER OF THE REDISTRICTING 7
CONVENTION, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL GIVE THE MEMBER : 8
(I) WRITTEN NOTICE OF TH E CHARGES; AND 9
(II) AN OPPORTUNITY TO AN SWER THE CHARGES . 10
(3) A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE REDISTRICTING 11
CONVENTION SHALL BE R EQUIRED TO REMOVE A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING 12
CONVENTION UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. 13
8–7A–07. 14
(A) A MAJORITY OF THE MEMB ERS ELECTED TO THE REDISTRICTING 15
CONVENTION IS A QUORU M. 16
(B) FROM AMONG ITS MEMBER S, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL 17
ELECT A CHAIR AND VI CE CHAIR. 18
(C) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF 19
LEGISLATIVE SERVICES JOINTLY SHAL L STAFF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 20
8–7A–08. 21
(A) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL : 22
(1) CONDUCT A PROCESS TH AT IS OPEN AND TRANS PARENT TO 23
ENABLE FULL PUBLIC C ONSIDERATION OF AND COMMENT ON THE ESTAB LISHMENT 24
OF LEGISLATIVE DISTR ICTS AND CONGRESSION AL DISTRICTS; 25
(2) ESTABLISH LEGISLATIV E DISTRICTS AND CONG RESSIONAL 26
DISTRICTS ACCORDING TO THE REDISTRICTING STANDARDS ESTABLISHE D UNDER 27
ARTICLE III, §§ 3 AND 4 OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION AND FEDERAL AN D 28
STATE LAW; AND 29
HOUSE BILL 203 13
(3) CONDUCT BUSINESS WIT H INTEGRITY AND FAIR NESS. 1
(B) (1) THE ACTIVITIES OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION ARE 2
SUBJECT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT. 3
(2) MEETINGS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE 4
LIVESTREAMED TO ALLO W MEMBERS OF THE PUB LIC TO OBSERVE THE 5
PROCEEDINGS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 6
(C) (1) THE MEMBERS OF EACH C OUNTY DELEGATION TO THE 7
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL HOLD AT LEAST ONE HEARING IN THE COUNTY 8
THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC F OR PUBLIC INPUT AND DELIBERATION THAT IS : 9
(I) SUBJECT TO PUBLIC NO TICE; AND 10
(II) DESIGNED TO ENCOURAG E CITIZEN OUTREACH A ND TO 11
SOLICIT BROAD PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE REDISTRICTING PROCES S. 12
(2) EACH HEARING HELD UND ER PARAG RAPH (1) OF THIS 13
SUBSECTION SHALL BE SCHEDULED BEFORE THE CONSIDERATION OF ANY PLAN BY 14
THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 15
8–7A–09. 16
(A) (1) IN THE YEAR FOLLOWING EACH DECENNIAL CENSU S OF THE 17
UNITED STATES, OR WHEN OTHERWISE RE QUIRED BY LAW , THE REDISTRICTING 18
CONVENTION SHALL ADOP T PLANS TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT S AND 19
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRI CTS IN CONFORMANCE W ITH THE STANDARDS AN D 20
PROCESSES ESTABLISHE D UNDER THIS SUBTITL E, THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, 21
AND FEDERAL LAW . 22
(2) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR ENDING IN THE NUMERA L 23
1, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL APPR OVE TWO PLANS : 24
(I) ONE PLAN SHALL DESCR IBE THE DISTRICT BOU NDARY 25
LINES FOR THE ELECTI ON OF MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF 26
DELEGATES; AND 27
(II) ONE PLAN SHALL DESCR IBE THE DISTRICT BOUNDARY 28
LINES FOR THE STATE’S REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 29
(B) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL ISSU E WITH EACH PLAN : 30
14 HOUSE BILL 203
(1) MAPS SHOWING THE LEG ISLATIVE DISTRICTS A ND THE 1
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRI CTS; AND 2
(2) A REPORT THAT : 3
(I) EXPLAINS TH E BASIS ON WHICH THE REDISTRICTING 4
CONVENTION MADE ITS D ECISIONS TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH THE CRITERIA 5
SPECIFIED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; AND 6
(II) INCLUDES DEFINITIONS OF THE TERMS AND STA NDARDS 7
USED IN DRAWING EACH PLAN. 8
(C) ON ADOPTION OF A PLAN , THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL : 9
(1) CERTIFY THAT THE PLA N IS THE PLAN ADOPTE D BY THE 10
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION; AND 11
(2) SEND THE CERTIFIED P LAN TO THE PRESIDING OFFICERS OF THE 12
GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 13
(D) (1) ON RECEIPT OF A CERTI FIED PLAN SENT UNDER SUBSECTION (C) 14
OF THIS SECTION , THE PRESIDING OFFICE RS SHALL PREPARE THE PLAN FOR 15
CONSIDERATION BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 16
(2) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY A MAJORITY VOTE O F EACH OF THE 17
TWO HOUSES, MAY CHALLENGE LEGALI TY OF THE CERTIFIED PLAN. 18
(3) IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTES TO CHA LLENGE THE 19
CERTIFIED PLAN , THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL : 20
(I) CONSIDER THE CHALLENG E; AND 21
(II) WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTE , 22
ISSUE A DECISION THA T AFFIRMS THE PLAN A S MEETING ALL CONSTI TUTIONAL AND 23
STATUTORY REQUIREMEN TS OR REJECTS THE PL AN AS FAILING TO MEE T 24
CONSTITUTIONAL AND S TATUTORY REQUIREMENT S. 25
(4) IF THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND REJECTS THE PLAN, THE 26
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL CERT IFY A NEW PLAN THAT ADDRESSES THE 27
RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND. 28
(E) A PLAN CONSIDERED BY T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL BE TRE ATED 29
IN THE SAME MANNER A S A BILL FOR PURPOSE S OF PUBLICATION , CODIFICATION, 30 HOUSE BILL 203 15
NOTIFICATION, AND DISTRIBUTION . 1
(F) A PLAN CERTIFIED BY TH E REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL 2
BECOME LAW : 3
(1) ON THE 31ST DAY AFTER CERTIFI CATION IF THE GENERAL 4
ASSEMBLY DOES NOT CHA LLENGE THE PLAN ; OR 5
(2) ON THE DAY THAT THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND ISSUES A 6
DECISION AFFIRMING T HE PLAN IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CHALLENGED T HE 7
PLAN. 8
8–7A–10. 9
(A) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL PETI TION THE SUPREME 10
COURT OF MARYLAND TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT S OR CONGRESSIONAL 11
DISTRICTS IN CONFORM ANCE WITH FEDERAL AN D STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AND 12
STATUTORY STANDARDS IF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION FAIL S TO ADOPT AND 13
CERTIFY A PLAN UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 14
(B) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL REPR ESENT THE STATE 15
REGARDING ANY PETITI ON SEEKING A REVIEW OF A CERTIFIED PLAN . 16
(C) IN ANY CASE BROUGHT I N A FEDERAL COURT TO REVIEW A PLAN, IF THE 17
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IS NOT A P ARTY TO THE CASE , THE REDISTRICTING 18
CONVENTION SHALL MOVE TO INTERVENE IN THE CASE ON BEHALF OF TH E STATE. 19
8–7A–11. 20
(A) THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL HAVE O RIGINAL 21
JURISDICTION TO ESTA BLISH LEGISLATIVE DI STRICTS AND CONGRESS IONAL 22
DISTRICTS IN CONFORM ANCE WITH FEDERAL AN D STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AND 23
STATUTORY STANDARDS IF: 24
(1) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION FAILS TO A PPROVE A PLAN 25
UNDER THIS SUBTITLE ; OR 26
(2) A REGISTERED VOTER F ILES A PETITION UNDE R SUBSECTION (B) 27
OF THIS SECTION. 28
(B) (1) ON THE ENACTMENT OF A LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT PLAN OR A 29
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRI CT PLAN, ANY REGISTERED VOTER IN THE STATE MAY FILE 30
A PETITION WITH THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND TO BAR THE P LAN FROM 31 16 HOUSE BILL 203
TAKING EFFECT ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE PLA N VIOLATES THE MARYLAND 1
CONSTITUTION, THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, OR A FEDERAL OR STATE 2
STATUTE. 3
(2) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE T HE DEFENDANT IN 4
A PETITION FILED UND ER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 5
(C) SUBJECT TO THE MARYLAND RULES, ANY REGISTERED VOTER OF THE 6
STATE MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCEEDING AS AN AMICUS CURIAE . 7
(D) (1) IF A PETITION IS FILED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, 8
THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND: 9
(I) SHALL SET DEADLINES FOR THE FILING OF PL EADINGS AND 10
AMICUS CURIAE BRIEFS; AND 11
(II) MAY APPOINT A SPECIA L MASTER TO MAKE 12
RECOMMENDATIONS . 13
(2) A SPECIAL MASTER APPOI NTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 14
SUBSECTION SHALL : 15
(I) HOLD A HEARING ; 16
(II) CONSIDER A PLAN APPR OVED BY THE REDISTRICTING 17
CONVENTION, IF ANY; AND 18
(III) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SUPREME COURT OF 19
MARYLAND. 20
(3) WITHIN THE TIME PERIO D ESTABLISHED BY THE SUPREME 21
COURT OF MARYLAND UNDER PARAGR APH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A PARTY MAY 22
FILE EXCEPTIONS TO T HE RECOMMENDATIONS O F THE SPECIAL MA STER. 23
(4) BEFORE ORDERING ANY R ELIEF, THE SUPREME COURT OF 24
MARYLAND SHALL : 25
(I) HOLD A HEARING ; 26
(II) CONSIDER A PLAN APPR OVED BY THE REDISTRICTING 27
CONVENTION, IF ANY; AND 28
(III) CONSIDER ANY RECOMME NDATIONS OF A SPECIA L MASTER. 29 HOUSE BILL 203 17
(E) (1) THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND MAY ORDER AN Y RELIEF 1
CONSIDERED APPROPRIA TE. 2
(2) IN ORDERING RELIEF : 3
(I) IF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION ADOPTED AN D 4
CERTIFIED A PLAN , THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND MAY APPROVE , MODIFY, 5
OR ADOPT A NEW PLAN ; OR 6
(II) IF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION HAS NOT AD OPTED 7
AND CERTIFIED A PLAN , THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL ESTABL ISH 8
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT S AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ACCORDING TO THE 9
STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THIS SUBTITLE AND ARTICLE III, §§ 3 AND 4 OF THE 10
MARYLAND CONSTITUTION. 11
(F) THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL GIVE P RIORITY TO RULING 12
ON A PETITION FILED UNDER THIS SECTION . 13
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the General Assembly 14
determines that the amendment to the Maryland Constitution proposed by Section 1 of this 15
Act affects multiple jurisdictions and that the provisions of Article XIV, § 1 of the Maryland 16
Constitution concerning local approval of constitutional amendments do not apply. 17
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the amendment to the 18
Maryland Constitution proposed by Section 1 of this Act shall be submitted to the qualified 19
voters of the State at the next general election to be held in November 2026 for adoption or 20
rejection in accordance with Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution. At that general 21
election, the vote on the proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be by ballot, and on 22
each ballot there shall be printed the words “For the Constitutional Amendment” and 23
“Against the Constitutional Amendment”, as now provided by law. Immediately after the 24
election, all returns shall be made to the Governor of the vote for and against the proposed 25
amendment, as directed by Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution, and further 26
proceedings held in accordance with Article XIV. 27
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act is 28
contingent on the passage of Section 1 of this Act, a constitutional amendment, and its 29
ratification by the voters of the State. 30
SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, subjec t to the provisions of 31
Section 5 of this Act, Section 2 of this Act shall take effect on the proclamation of the 32
Governor that the constitutional amendment, having received a majority of the votes cast 33
at the general election, has been adopted by the people of Maryland. 34