House Bill No. 5316 aims to establish the Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission in Texas, which will manage the redistricting process for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Texas Legislature, and the State Board of Education. The bill amends Title 5 of the Government Code by adding a new Subtitle C and Chapter 581, detailing the commission's structure, authority, and operational guidelines. The commission will consist of 14 members, including five from the majority party, five from the minority party, and four independent members, selected through a transparent process to ensure diversity and independence from legislative influence. The bill also outlines qualifications for members, the appointment process, and requirements for conducting redistricting openly, including a quorum for decision-making and the need for approval from at least nine members for any final redistricting plan.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions for the selection and appointment of commission members, allowing caucus leaders to strike applicants and establishing a random selection process by the state auditor. It mandates compliance with constitutional requirements and prohibits consideration of incumbents' residences when drawing new maps. The commission must hold public hearings for input and make audiovisual recordings available online. The bill grants the commission the authority to defend legal challenges to certified maps and allows registered voters to file petitions against maps they believe violate laws. Administrative support for the commission is also outlined, including compensation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. The provisions will apply only to decennial censuses conducted on or after January 1, 2030, with the bill taking effect on September 1, 2029, pending voter approval of a related constitutional amendment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 2058.002 (Government Code 2058)