Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Texas House Bill HJR36

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Sent toSOS
 
Proposed Const. Amend.
 

Caption

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

Impact

If passed, the bill would amend Section 28 of Article III of the Texas Constitution, assigning the responsibility of district mapping to the Texas Redistricting Commission. The creation of this commission brings potential for unbiased representation by requiring a wide-ranging participation process and ensuring that district lines comply with constitutional standards, including population equality and non-discriminatory practices. The amendment also includes provisions for judicial oversight, allowing for legal challenges to any map that fails to meet the established criteria, which can promote accountability and transparency.

Summary

HJR36 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to establish the Texas Redistricting Commission, which will be responsible for redistricting Texas congressional districts. This bill aims to revise the procedures currently used for redistricting, providing a more structured and possibly independent approach to the apportionment of congressional districts in Texas following each decennial census. The commission is designed to replace the current legislative process, where the Texas Legislature traditionally handles redistricting, which has raised concerns about partisan bias in district mapping.

Contention

Notably, HJR36 may invoke contention among legislators and political parties due to fears of losing control over the redistricting process, which has historically been a tool for political gerrymandering. Discussions may arise around the makeup of the commission, ensuring it adequately represents Texas’s political diversity while also maintaining impartiality. Critics may argue that removing redistricting from legislative hands potentially limits accountability and that due to the commission's independent nature, it could create a lack of responsiveness to elected officials and their constituents when drawing district lines.

Companion Bills

TX HB293

Enabled by Relating to the establishment of the Texas Redistricting Commission to redistrict Texas congressional districts.

Previously Filed As

TX SJR16

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

TX SJR11

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

TX HJR48

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

TX HJR4

Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing the Texas Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission to redistrict the Texas Legislature, Texas congressional districts, and State Board of Education districts and revising procedures for redistricting.

TX HJR83

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

TX HJR135

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

TX HJR205

Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing the Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission to redistrict the Texas Legislature, Texas congressional districts, and State Board of Education districts and revising procedures for redistricting.

TX SB115

Relating to the Texas Redistricting Commission.

TX SB180

Relating to the Texas Redistricting Commission.

TX HB693

Relating to the Texas Redistricting Commission.

Similar Bills

TX HB3031

Relating to the reapportionment of state legislative, congressional, and judicial districts and the functions and duties of the independent redistricting commission.

TX HB731

Relating to the reapportionment of state legislative, congressional, and judicial districts and the functions and duties of the independent redistricting commission.

TX HJR4

Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing the Texas Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission to redistrict the Texas Legislature, Texas congressional districts, and State Board of Education districts and revising procedures for redistricting.

TX HJR127

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

TX HJR48

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

TX HJR123

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

TX HJR26

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

TX SJR16

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