H.B. No. 221 establishes the Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission in Texas, which will oversee the redistricting of districts 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 to introduce a new Subtitle C and Chapter 581, detailing the commission's structure, authority, and operational procedures. 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 independence from legislative influence. Key provisions include a requirement for an open redistricting process, specific qualifications for members, a quorum of nine for official actions, and term limits to prevent conflicts of interest.

The bill also outlines the selection process for commission members, allowing caucus leaders to strike applicants and mandating the state auditor to randomly select initial members. It emphasizes compliance with constitutional requirements when establishing district boundaries and mandates public outreach, including open hearings for public input. The commission must approve a final map by a specified deadline, with provisions for judicial intervention if necessary. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding per diem rates for commission members and administrative support from the Secretary of State. Importantly, these provisions will only take effect if a related constitutional amendment is approved by voters in 2025 and will apply to censuses conducted on or after January 1, 2030.

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