The bill establishes the Texas Redistricting Commission, tasked with overseeing the redistricting of congressional districts in Texas. It amends Title 5 of the Government Code to introduce a new subtitle and chapter that detail the commission's structure, member selection process, and operational guidelines. Key provisions include definitions of relevant terms, a prohibition against retaliation for employees attending commission meetings, and a transparent application process aimed at promoting diversity among commission members. The selection process for commission members is outlined, including the removal of applicants with conflicts of interest and the creation of applicant subpools based on party affiliation. The initial eight members will be selected through a random drawing, with additional members appointed by these initial members. The commission is required to operate under open meeting laws and ensure public access to redistricting information.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the commission to hire at least one legal counsel with expertise in the federal Voting Rights Act and establishes clear criteria for the hiring and removal of commission members, as well as communication protocols and a code of conduct. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest in the selection of employees and consultants. A comprehensive public outreach strategy is also included, requiring the commission to hold open hearings for public input before and after drawing district maps, with specified timeframes for public comment. The bill also provides for administrative support from the state auditor and mandates the legislature to supply necessary computer resources for redistricting. The provisions of the bill will take effect on January 1, 2030, pending voter approval of a related constitutional amendment.

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