Texas Senate Bill SJR2

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

• Filed: 7/24/25

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature, when apportioning a congressional district of which a majority of residents are included in a demographic group that is a minority in this state, from reducing the proportion of that group in the district if the legislature has apportioned the district at least once since the publication of the most recent United States decennial census.

Impact

If passed, SJR2 would directly impact the state's method and approach to congressional apportionment, particularly in districts where a majority of residents belong to minority demographic groups. The intent is to guarantee that these groups maintain or increase their representation, effectively making it more difficult for the legislature to manipulate district boundaries in ways that could dilute minority voters' influence. The bill underscores the critical need for fair representation in governance, especially in a state as diverse as Texas.

Summary

SJR2 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Texas Constitution regarding the apportionment of congressional districts. The bill stipulates that the legislature cannot reduce the proportion of a demographic group that is considered a minority in the state when apportioning congressional districts, provided that the district has previously been apportioned by the legislature since the last decennial census. This intends to protect minority representation in congressional districts and ensure that their proportions do not diminish over time due to legislative actions.

Contention

While advocates for SJR2 argue that it is a necessary step toward ensuring equitable representation for minority populations, opponents may view it as a limitation on legislative authority. There may be concerns regarding the unintended consequences of binding future legislatures to this restriction, potentially complicating necessary adjustments that reflect population changes and demographic shifts. The bill, therefore, raises important questions about the balance between protecting minority representation and maintaining legislative flexibility in apportionment.