Assembly committee advances ACA 8 and companion bill to fund special election on mid-decade redistricting

Assemblymembers on the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted to advance Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 (ACA 8) and a companion funding bill, Senate Bill 280, sending both measures to the Assembly floor for further debate.

ACA 8 would ask California voters in a special election whether to temporarily use new congressional district maps — drawn now and used through the 2030 congressional term — only if other states pursue mid‑decade partisan redistricting that, sponsors say, would dilute representation. SB 280 would appropriate funding to administer that special election on Nov. 4 if the initiative qualifies.

Proponents told the committee they view ACA 8 as a narrowly targeted, conditional response to what they described as a coordinated mid‑decade power grab in other states. "I'm here to present ACA 8 on behalf of Speaker Robert Rivas," said Isaac Bridal, who introduced the measure to the committee, saying the amendment ‘‘exists because Trump and the Republican controlled Texas legislature and other states ... are attempting to redraw congressional districts in the middle of a decade." Bridal emphasized that the measure would use its proposed map only if other states move first.

Jody Hicks, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, appeared as a primary witness in support and framed her testimony around program impacts from recent federal actions. "If we are not able to have a…