Texas Senate Bill SJR41

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 5/12/09

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to replace the attorney general on the legislative redistricting board with the commissioner of agriculture.

Impact

If enacted, this amendment would modify the provisions of Section 28, Article III of the Texas Constitution, which outlines how legislative districts are drawn. The proposed change signifies a reconfiguration of responsibilities within the redistricting process, involving a shift of duties from a legal office to an agricultural office. The alteration may also influence the dynamics of political accountability and the representation of agricultural interests in the legislative process, potentially altering how districts are drawn moving forward.

Summary

SJR41 proposes a constitutional amendment aimed at altering the composition of the legislative redistricting board in Texas. Currently, the board includes the Attorney General, but the amendment suggests replacing this position with the Commissioner of Agriculture. This change emphasizes a shift in oversight for apportioning state legislative districts and reflects a potential re-evaluation of the roles within the legislative process following each decennial census.

Contention

While the bill aims to streamline the legislative redistricting process, it may face contention from various groups. Critics of the proposal may argue that replacing the Attorney General could diminish legal oversight during the redistricting process, raising concerns about the potential for partisan manipulation. Additionally, this amendment could be seen as sidestepping broader discussions on transparency and fairness in how legislative districts are established, given that the representation from agriculture might not align with the varying needs of diverse communities across Texas.