S.B. No. 23 proposes the establishment of the Texas Redistricting Commission, which will be responsible for creating electoral districts for the United States House of Representatives, the Texas House of Representatives, and the Texas Senate. The bill amends Title 5 of the Government Code to include provisions for redistricting, introducing a new Subtitle C and Chapter 581 that outlines the commission's structure, powers, and duties. The commission will consist of nine members, with eight appointed in a bipartisan manner by the legislature and the ninth member chosen from independent applicants. Members must meet specific eligibility criteria, including age and voting history, and are prohibited from holding public office or engaging in political campaigns during their term.

The bill also details the operational procedures of the commission, including the requirement for sufficient funding, the adoption of procedural rules, and the timeline for redistricting plans. It mandates that plans must be submitted by November 15 of the year following the census year, with provisions for challenges to the plans and requirements for the plans to be contiguous, equal in population, and compact. The act will take effect on January 1, 2030, contingent upon the approval of a related constitutional amendment by voters. If the amendment is not approved, the act will have no effect.

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