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Senate passes compromise redistricting bill preserving independent commission, requires public map presentations
Summary
The Utah Senate passed Senate Bill 200, a negotiated redistricting overhaul that preserves a seven‑member independent advisory commission, requires the commission to present three alternative maps of each type in public meetings, and affirms the Legislature's constitutional redistricting authority.
Senator Bramble moved and the Senate approved Senate Bill 200, a package of redistricting amendments described by sponsors as a bipartisan compromise that keeps an independent citizens' advisory redistricting commission while preserving the legislature's constitutional authority to adopt maps. The chamber passed the bill under suspension of the rules and waived the three‑reading requirement so it could be sent immediately to the House.
The bill, as presented by Senator Bramble, maintains a seven‑member independent commission with a chair appointed by the governor and requires the independent commission to present multiple map options in a public meeting to the legislative redistricting body. "This bill preserves that," Bramble said, casting the legislation as a way to retain the citizens' voice while avoiding constitutional problems that could invite legal challenge. Sponsors said the independent commission must present three legislative maps, three congressional maps and three school district maps and that the maps must be presented in public hearings to a legislative committee rather than by forcing an up‑or‑down vote on the Senate floor.
Supporters framed the measure as the result of more than a year of negotiations with advocates and members of both parties. "We've entered into negotiations over the last year plus... and we've come up with a compromise that will strengthen the independent redistricting commission," Bramble said. Senator Davis and others described arrangements that allow the independent commission to coordinate with the legislative redistricting commission and to present maps publicly, while preserving members' ability to propose amendments and represent constituents' interests.
Opponents did not win procedural challenges; the Senate voted by roll call and the clerk announced the result: "Senate Bill 200, having received 25 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 4 being absent, passes," and the bill was forwarded to the House for its consideration. The sponsor said the compromise aims to avoid constitutional exposure that an earlier ballot initiative language had created and to retain both citizen input and legislative responsibility for final adoption.
Next steps: SB200 was transmitted to the Utah House. The legislative redistricting committee is expected to schedule the public presentations required by the statute and the independent commission will prepare and submit its maps for those hearings.
