Texas House Bill HB3984

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the composition of the congressional districts for the State of Texas.

Impact

The enactment of HB 3984 will modify existing statutes related to the composition of congressional districts, specifically those that govern how districts are drawn and populated. By defining the districts in explicit detail, the bill aims to facilitate clearer electoral processes and maintain consistency with the demographic shifts recorded during the census. This is particularly significant as it will impact the political landscape of Texas after the next elections, particularly the primary and general elections scheduled for 2018 concerning the 116th Congress.

Summary

House Bill 3984 addresses the creation and composition of congressional districts within Texas, determining how members of the United States House of Representatives are to be elected from these defined areas. The bill outlines specific geographic components of each district based on the latest Census data, specifically the 2010 Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles. This precise delineation is crucial for ensuring proper representation based on the population distribution reflected in the census data.

Contention

While the bill aims to provide clear guidelines on congressional representation in Texas, it also raises concerns among various stakeholders. The division of districts may lead to debates over gerrymandering and how district lines are drawn in a way that could favor particular political parties. Additionally, there may be opposition from communities that feel underrepresented or misrepresented due to the prescribed limits of district boundaries. The bill also includes a provision that retroactively addresses any potential exclusions of geographic areas from the defined districts, thus ensuring comprehensive coverage that aligns with legislative intent.