Texas House Bill HJR122

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing the Texas Redistricting Commission to redistrict the Texas Legislature and Texas congressional districts and revising procedures for redistricting.

Impact

The establishment of the Texas Redistricting Commission would significantly impact the current law surrounding legislative district drawing by creating a formalized and structured process. The commission will consist of appointed members who will be required to adhere to both federal and state laws regarding the drawing of districts, thus reducing the potential for partisanship in district creation. This change is expected to lead to districts that better reflect the diverse demographics of Texas and to discourage discriminatory practices in the redistricting process.

Summary

HJR122 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish the Texas Redistricting Commission, tasked with redistricting Texas legislative and congressional districts. The commission is designed to operate with a focus on impartiality and demographic considerations, ensuring fair representation for all communities across the state. By adopting redistricting plans, the commission aims to streamline the redistricting process and address issues that have arisen from previous methods that may have led to gerrymandering or disenfranchisement of certain voter groups.

Contention

There may be notable points of contention regarding HJR122, particularly concerning the balance of political influences in the selection of commission members. While the bill aims to create a bipartisan commission, critics may question whether the appointment process will truly result in impartiality. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the adequacy of public input in the redistricting process, as the commission is expected to provide mechanisms for community feedback but may face skepticism regarding the implementation of these mechanisms.