HF550

HF550 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Bipartisan Redistricting Commission established, principles to be used in adopting legislative and congressional districts established, and constitutional amendment proposed.

Related bill: SF824

AI Generated Summary

This legislative bill in Minnesota proposes amending the state's constitution to create a Bipartisan Redistricting Commission. This commission would be responsible for setting the boundaries of legislative and congressional districts after each federal census. The commission would be made up of eight members, appointed by leaders from both major parties in the state legislature, aiming to ensure fairness and bipartisanship in the redistricting process. The proposal includes strict eligibility criteria to avoid conflicts of interest, requiring commissioners to be independent of current elected or appointed officials and their immediate families.

The proposed amendment must be approved by voters in the state general election. If adopted, the redistricting plan established by the commission would take effect from the second state general election following each census and would remain in effect until new plans are adopted. The Minnesota Supreme Court would have exclusive jurisdiction over any legal challenges to the plans.

Additionally, the bill outlines detailed principles for how districts should be drawn, emphasizing equal population, compactness, and respect for community integrity while safeguarding minority group representation. It also specifies that districts should not be drawn to protect or challenge incumbents.

The overall aim is to create a more transparent and impartial process for redistricting in Minnesota, enhancing democracy and potentially reducing the partisan manipulation of electoral boundaries, known as gerrymandering.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Elections Finance and Government Operations
February 25, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to	State Government Finance and Policy
March 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to	Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
March 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 04, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to	Rules and Legislative Administration
March 11, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt
March 11, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Second reading
March 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
March 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Motion to lay on the table
March 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Motion prevailed

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Amended to include reference to the new Bipartisan Redistricting Commission."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section defines the commission and duties related to redistricting.",
      "modified": [
        "Revision to the existing definitions for clarity in redistricting context."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "2.93"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Introduced new terminological clarifications in light of redistricting revisions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendment relates to redefining key terms regarding redistricting.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates were made to align with the broader legislative changes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.01"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section was referenced for establishing Legislative Coordinating Commission.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "3.303"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies districting principles applicable to new commission guidelines."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Details districting principles and their application.",
      "modified": [
        "Enhanced districting principles to align with new constitutional amendment."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "2.94"
  }
]