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Senate advances large, midcycle redistricting amendments after heated debate over urgency and process
Summary
The California State Senate on Aug. 18 moved to adopt extensive amendments to AB 604 — a midcycle redistricting measure — after hours of debate over procedure, the urgency clause and voters’ role. Senators voted to uphold the presiding officer’s ruling and to adopt the amendments; several motions to delay or table the measure failed.
SACRAMENTO — The California State Senate on Monday advanced a 338-page package of amendments to AB 604, a midcycle redistricting measure, after sharp debate about whether the amendments should be considered without more public review. Senators repeatedly clashed over the bill’s urgency clause, how the amendments were published and whether the chamber was following constitutional and procedural rules.
The amendments were published online earlier in the day and were presented to the Senate for adoption in committee and on the floor. Senator Strickland repeatedly argued the urgency language was improper, saying, "This amendment has no immediate threat to public peace, health, or safety as required by article 4 section 8 d of our constitution." Pro Tem McGuire and other supporters said the amendments were published and that the Senate was following standard practice to bring them forward for the body to act on and for members of the public to review before committee hearings.
Why it matters: The package would enable mid-decade adjustments to…
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