House rejects redistricting amendments but orders congressional map to third reading

Annapolis — The House considered House Bill 488, a package including congressional maps and related language for a constitutional referendum on compactness and contiguity. Lawmakers engaged in lengthy debate over whether mid‑cycle redistricting is constitutional, precedent for pairing statutory and constitutional changes in one bill, and whether the proposed maps are fair or partisan.

A motion to strike the map and bar mid‑cycle congressional redistricting drew support from members concerned about the practice; the majority leader (Speaker 7) and floor proponents countered that federal developments and actions in other states require a robust response. “There is absolutely a precedent for maps being on the ballot,” the majority leader said, noting prior ballot‑level map actions. Opponents called mid‑cycle redistricting “wrong” and urged the House to take a stand.

Another amendment would have replaced the majority’s map with the Citizens Redistricting Commission plan developed during the Hogan administration; supporters described the commission process, public input and academic fairness ratings. Opponents argued the proposed substitute was not necessarily adopted and raised legal and demographic questions.

After multiple recorded votes on competing amendments, the chamber rejected several changes and ordered the bill printed to third reading without adopting the amendments that would have struck or replaced the map. The House then moved to routine business: committee meeting notices, delegation announcements and caucus schedules.

Provenance: Debate on House Bill 488 and related amendment votes and explanations appear in the transcript beginning with the layover calendar reading (SEG 2038) and continuing through the roll calls and the order that the bill be printed to third reading (SEG 3282).