HF550

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.