Senate committee advances implementation bill after fraught hearing on one‑time mid‑decade redistricting plan

SACRAMENTO — The Senate Elections Committee on Constitutional Amendments on Wednesday heard testimony on a package of measures that would place a one‑time, voter‑approved mid‑decade congressional redistricting plan before Californians only if another state adopts new congressional maps that take effect between Aug. 1, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2031.

Senator Sabrina Cervantes, chair of the committee, opened the informational hearing by calling the proposal a defensive response to what supporters described as an effort by President Trump and Republican state officials, particularly in Texas, to "rig" the 2026 congressional map. "We will not allow red states to strip seats in Congress," Cervantes said in her opening remarks.

The legislative package is centered on Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 (ACA 8), which would amend the California Constitution to authorize a one‑time mid‑decade statewide congressional map that would take effect only if other states adopt mid‑decade maps meeting the measure—s trigger conditions. SB 280 would provide statutory authority and appropriations to call and administer a statewide special election on Nov. 4 to put ACA 8 before the voters and to preserve the June 2026 primary schedule; AB 604 contains the proposed temporary congressional maps to be presented to voters if ACA 8 is approved.

Supporters said the package preserves…