Pennsylvania commission to oversee congressional reapportionment formed after census report
April 15, 2025 | House Bills (Introduced), 2025 Bills, Pennsylvania Legislation Bills , Pennsylvania
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House Bill 31, introduced in the Pennsylvania Legislature on April 15, 2025, aims to establish a new commission responsible for the reapportionment of legislative districts following the decennial census. The bill outlines the composition, selection process, and operational timeline for the commission, which is designed to ensure fair representation in the state's legislative bodies.
The commission will consist of five members: the majority and minority leaders from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, along with a chairman selected by these leaders. This structure is intended to promote bipartisan cooperation in the redistricting process. The bill mandates that the four legislative leaders must certify their appointments to the elections officer within 60 days of the census results. Subsequently, they have 45 days to select the chairman, who must be a citizen of Pennsylvania and not currently holding a compensated public office. If the leaders fail to appoint a chairman within the designated timeframe, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will intervene to make the appointment.
Once the commission is formed, it is required to file a preliminary reapportionment plan within 90 days of its certification or the availability of census data, whichever is later. The commission will then have an additional 30 days to make any necessary corrections to the plan.
The introduction of House Bill 31 has sparked discussions among lawmakers and advocacy groups, particularly regarding its potential impact on electoral fairness and representation. Supporters argue that the bill's bipartisan structure will help mitigate gerrymandering, while critics express concerns about the influence of political leaders in the selection process.
The implications of this bill are significant, as it could reshape Pennsylvania's political landscape by ensuring that district boundaries reflect population changes more accurately. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, its outcomes will be closely monitored by both political analysts and the public, given the high stakes involved in the redistricting process. The next steps will involve committee reviews and potential amendments before a final vote in the legislature.
The commission will consist of five members: the majority and minority leaders from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, along with a chairman selected by these leaders. This structure is intended to promote bipartisan cooperation in the redistricting process. The bill mandates that the four legislative leaders must certify their appointments to the elections officer within 60 days of the census results. Subsequently, they have 45 days to select the chairman, who must be a citizen of Pennsylvania and not currently holding a compensated public office. If the leaders fail to appoint a chairman within the designated timeframe, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will intervene to make the appointment.
Once the commission is formed, it is required to file a preliminary reapportionment plan within 90 days of its certification or the availability of census data, whichever is later. The commission will then have an additional 30 days to make any necessary corrections to the plan.
The introduction of House Bill 31 has sparked discussions among lawmakers and advocacy groups, particularly regarding its potential impact on electoral fairness and representation. Supporters argue that the bill's bipartisan structure will help mitigate gerrymandering, while critics express concerns about the influence of political leaders in the selection process.
The implications of this bill are significant, as it could reshape Pennsylvania's political landscape by ensuring that district boundaries reflect population changes more accurately. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, its outcomes will be closely monitored by both political analysts and the public, given the high stakes involved in the redistricting process. The next steps will involve committee reviews and potential amendments before a final vote in the legislature.
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