FAIR REDISTRICTING STUDY COMMITTEE.

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View NCGA Bill Details2017-2018 Session
House Bill 714 (Public) Filed Monday, April 10, 2017
AN ACT TO CREATE THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON FAIR REDISTRICTING.
Intro. by Farmer-Butterfield, Pierce, Terry, McGrady.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House Action) (Apr 11 2017)

Bill History:

H 714

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 10 2017 - View Summary

    Includes whereas clauses.

    Creates the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Fair Redistricting (Committee). Provides for the appointment of 14 members who have experience in the redistricting process or with voting rights laws and issues. Provides for the designation of cochairs, nonvoting members, and the filling of vacancies. Establishes that a majority of the voting members constitutes a quorum. Provides for the Committee's powers, staffing, and expenses.

    Establishes that the purpose of the Committee is to provide principles and guidance on issues studied by the Committee, as required below, to ensure that the 2020 House, Senate, and Congressional district plans for North Carolina are drawn fairly. Sets out that the work of the Committee is to ensure that districts are drawn free from unlawful racial or partisan gerrymandering in compliance with the Voting Rights Act and the US and NC Constitutions, federal and State statutes and regulations, and applicable court precedents. Charges the Committee with establishing redistricting principles, recommendations, and guidance for the General Assembly, considering North Carolina's history of racism and racial gerrymandering. Requires the Committee to ensure that it considers public input in the development of and in response to its final recommendations and those districts drawn by the General Assembly abide by the Voting Rights Act and the US and NC Constitutions, laws, and applicable court precedents.

    Directs the Committee to study the four issues outlined in the act and provide the General Assembly with principles and guidance formulated from the study's findings for the 2020 redistricting process. Further directs the Committee to examine existing State and federal law and precedents regarding redistricting, the history of the redistricting process in North Carolina, and the legislation enacted in other states that encourages a fair, legal, and open redistricting process. 

    Directs the Committee to submit a final report including findings and legislative recommendations and guidance no later than June 15, 2018. Provides that if for any reason a majority of the Committee cannot agree on findings and recommendations, the Committee must provide a majority and minority party report. Terminates the Committee upon filing its final report or on June 15, 2018, whichever occurs earlier.