S.B. No. 180 proposes significant amendments to the Texas Election Code and Government Code, particularly regarding the Texas Redistricting Commission. The bill amends Section 42.032 of the Election Code to require that county election precinct boundary changes be ordered by commissioners courts before October 1 of the redistricting year, replacing the previous reference to Section 28 of the Texas Constitution with Section 28a. It also introduces a new Subtitle C in Title 5 of the Government Code, detailing the structure, member selection, and operational guidelines for the commission, including conflict of interest provisions, public meeting requirements, and staff hiring protocols.

The bill establishes a comprehensive process for selecting commission members, ensuring representation of the state's diversity and creating applicant subpools based on party affiliation and qualifications. It mandates open hearings for public input before and after the drawing of maps, with live broadcasts and recorded sessions accessible for ten years. Additionally, it outlines the commission's administrative support, procurement authority, and member compensation, with adjustments for inflation starting in 2030. The act will take effect on January 1, 2029, pending voter approval of a related constitutional amendment, and includes provisions for public approval of changes to judicial district redistricting.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 42.032, Government Code 24.945, Government Code 24.946, Government Code 24.948 (Government Code 24, Election Code 42)