House committee considers court-ordered redistricting maps; both House and Senate bills fail in committee votes

Representative Jordan introduced House Bill 488 in the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs on May 28, 2025, saying the maps aim to remedy a federal finding that current legislative maps violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

The measure would create several new majority-minority opportunity districts in areas including Shreveport, Natchitoches, Lake Charles and portions of Baton Rouge; Representative Jordan said the changes are intended to “unpack and uncrack” districts the court found to dilute minority voting power. Charles Phipps, senior director for policy advocacy and legal affairs at the Urban League of Louisiana, told the committee the plan “is about people” and urged the legislature to act to avoid judicial replacement of maps.

Nut graf: The committee discussion focused on whether the Legislature should adopt remedial maps now or wait for appeals. Proponents said adopting a legislative map would demonstrate the Legislature’s willingness to comply with federal law and could prevent courts from imposing their own maps; opponents and some members said additional study and amendments are needed. After debate, a motion to report HB488 favorably as amended failed on a roll call, 5 yeas to 9 nays.

Committee members pressed on legal and practical points. Members noted ongoing litigation: Judge **** in the U.S. District Court found Section 2 violations, plaintiffs and defendants filed expert reports, and a remedial-phase hearing was scheduled for Aug. 27 (the Fifth Circuit’s consideration remains pending). Questions included whether the proposed maps are compact, preserve communities of interest, and would produce opportunity districts that offer minority voters a realistic chance to elect preferred candidates. Representative Jordan said the proposed maps were drawn to be “compact,” to preserve precincts when possible and to comply with the legal principles the courts have set out.

Speakers who supported legislative action warned that waiting could cede map drawing to the courts. Opponents urged additional negotiation and amendments to protect local communities and incumbents. Representative Marcel and Representative Newell offered and supported motions during the proceedings; Representative Thomas lodged an objection in one of the votes.

Two related measures were offered in the same hearing. HB487, a Senate reapportionment proposal presented by Representative Jordan, likewise sought to create new districts in Baton Rouge, Jefferson Parish and Shreveport. The committee debated similar legal and community-of-interest issues; a motion to report HB487 favorably as amended also failed on a roll call, 6 yeas to 9 nays.

Ending: With both measures failing in committee, the federal litigation remains the controlling pressure on the timetable. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly urged either prompt legislative remedial action with room for amendments or, alternatively, a structured process to produce a broadly supported map before courts issue a remedial plan.