Texas House Bill HJR59

Texas 2021 - 87th 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

If enacted, HJR59 will replace the existing redistricting processes with a commission that is tasked with adhering to strict criteria to ensure that districts are drawn fairly and that population disparities across districts remain minimal. Specifically, redistricting plans must ensure that population deviations do not exceed 2.5 percent, district lines are contiguous, and must not intentionally favor or discriminate against any political party. This change in governance is perceived as a critical step toward ensuring equitable representation across Texas's diverse population and could deeply influence electoral outcomes in the state.

Summary

HJR59 proposes a significant constitutional amendment aimed at establishing the Texas Redistricting Commission, which would handle the redistricting of the Texas Legislature and congressional districts. This amendment seeks to improve the procedures for redistricting, removing significant power from the Legislative Redistricting Board and vesting it in a commission designed to promote fairness and transparency in district formation. The Texas Redistricting Commission will consist of seven members, selected to ensure a balance between political parties and to include retired federal judges, thereby aiming to minimize partisan influence in the redistricting process.

Contention

The proposal for this constitutional amendment has spurred discussions regarding the efficiency and integrity of the redistricting process. Proponents argue that the establishment of the Texas Redistricting Commission helps eliminate partisan gerrymandering, thus fostering a more democratic electoral landscape. Critics, however, may express concern over the shifted power dynamics, particularly regarding how the commission is formed and how its members are selected, potentially questioning whether this could lead to new forms of political maneuvering. As with any significant institutional change, the effectiveness of the commission in promoting fairness versus political advantage remains a point of contention among stakeholders.