H.B. No. 259 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 diversity and independence from legislative influence. The bill also sets criteria for member appointments, prohibits certain political office holdings post-service, and mandates an open redistricting process with public input.

Additionally, the bill outlines the commission's powers, including the criteria for establishing districts that comply with constitutional and federal requirements, and mandates public outreach through hearings and map displays for public comment. It introduces a selection process for commission members involving strikes by caucus leaders and random selection by the state auditor, ensuring diverse representation. The commission is granted the authority to defend legal challenges to certified maps and allows registered voters to petition against maps they believe violate laws. The bill also amends existing laws regarding per diem rates for commission members and requires administrative support from the Secretary of State, with the commission's authority applying only to census data from 2030 onward. The act will take effect on September 1, 2029, pending voter approval of a related constitutional amendment.

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