Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB2905

Introduced
4/26/23  

Caption

End Prison Gerrymandering Act

Impact

The impact of HB2905 on state laws revolves around its implications for congressional redistricting. By counting incarcerated individuals in their home communities rather than their incarceration locations, the legislation seeks to provide a more equitable representation in Congress. This adjustment, effective starting with the 2030 decennial census, could significantly alter the demographic and political landscape of districts that have high incarceration rates, ensuring that communities are not underrepresented due to inflated population counts in correctional facilities.

Summary

House Bill 2905, known as the 'End Prison Gerrymandering Act', proposes significant amendments to title 13 of the United States Code concerning the census process, specifically how incarcerated individuals are counted. The bill stipulates that individuals in correctional facilities are to be attributed to their last usual place of residence prior to incarceration, rather than the facility in which they are housed. This change is aimed at ensuring that census data accurately reflects the population of communities by minimizing the distortions caused by counting incarcerated individuals where they are imprisoned instead of where they actually live.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the End Prison Gerrymandering Act represents a significant shift toward more accurate demographic representation in the United States. While the bill has garnered support for its potential to reform a long-standing issue in census counting, it is likely to face scrutiny and debate as states prepare for its implementation in subsequent censuses.

Contention

Points of contention may arise surrounding the implementation and interpretation of this bill, especially from those who argue that counting individuals by their last known address could disenfranchise communities with high incarceration rates. Critics might express concerns over logistical challenges in accurately identifying and recording the correct residence of formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as the implications for funding allocations based on population counts, which can disproportionately affect urban versus rural areas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB4563

ACE Act End Zuckerbucks Act of 2023 Solving an Overlooked Loophole in Votes for Executives (SOLVE) Act Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act Don't Weaponize the IRS Act American Confidence in Elections Act

US HB3019

Federal Prison Oversight Act

US HB4138

Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2023

US HB56

Reforming Alternatives to Incarceration and Sentencing to Establish a Better Path for Youth Act of 2023 or the RAISE Act of 2023 This bill modifies requirements and procedures related to the sentencing, confinement, and release of youth who are involved in the federal criminal justice system. The term youth means an individual who is prosecuted or sentenced for a criminal offense committed at age 21 or younger. The bill modifies federal sentencing options for youth, including by allowing courts to depart from the statutory mandatory minimum for certain nonviolent offenses, to reduce the prison term of a youth who has completed 20 years of the sentence, and to treat as discretionary a sentence of imprisonment for life. Additionally, it requires the Bureau of Prisons to separately designate youth correctional facilities, minimize contact between youth and other offenders, and establish programs regarding youth education, skills training, reentry, and mental and emotional health. Finally, the bill promotes reentry and reintegration into the community, including by providing an early release option for youth offenders who complete one half or more of their prison term and meet certain criteria; authorizing home confinement for a longer period of time; limiting the maximum prison term for technical violations of probation; establishing pilot programs for mentorship, government service, and animal service; and establishing pilot programs for diversion of high-risk, victimized, and primary caretaker youth.

US HB444

End For-Profit Prisons Act of 2023 This bill establishes a framework to phase out existing Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and U.S. Marshals Service contracts with private companies for correctional facilities and community confinement facilities (e.g., halfway houses). The bill requires the Department of Justice to develop guidelines for community reintegration programs at community confinement facilities. In carrying out prerelease and reentry planning procedures, the bill requires the BOP to ensure prisoners receive information and counseling about criminal record expungement; educational, employment, and treatment programs; and applications for public assistance programs, a driver's license, and voter registration. The BOP must also provide prisoners with postrelease information about fines, assessments, surcharges, restitution, and other penalties.

US HB1708

Housing Is a Human Right Act of 2023

US HB2931

Smart Sentencing Adjustments Act

US HB2954

Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act

US HB3567

Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act of 2023

US SB1401

Federal Prison Oversight Act

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.