SF 595

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, article IV, section 3; by
adding an article; providing for a bipartisan legislative redistricting commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
new text end

new text begin An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people. If the
amendment is adopted, article IV, section 3, will read:
new text end

Sec. 3.

deleted text begin At its first session after each enumeration of the inhabitants of this state made
by the authority of the United States, the legislature shall have the power to prescribe
the bounds of congressional and legislative districts. deleted text end new text begin Boundaries for the districts of
representatives in the Congress of the United States and for state senators and state
representatives must be established by the redistricting commission created in article
XV. new text end Senators shall be chosen by single districts of convenient contiguous territory. No
representative district shall be divided in the formation of a senate district. The senate
districts shall be numbered in a regular series.

new text begin A new article shall be added to read:
new text end

new text begin ARTICLE XV
new text end new text begin REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
new text end

new text begin Section 1. new text end

new text begin In each year ending in the number one, or when required by court order, a
commission shall be established to draw the boundaries of legislative and congressional
districts.
new text end

new text begin The commission consists of nine members who are eligible voters of the state.
One member shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one
member by the members of the house of representatives representing the largest political
party caucus other than the party represented by the speaker. One member shall be
appointed by the president of the senate and one member by the members of the senate
representing the largest political party caucus other than the party represented by the
president. Article IV, section 5, does not apply to the appointment of these four members
of the redistricting commission.
new text end

new text begin The remaining five members shall be appointed by unanimous agreement of the
legislative appointees. The qualifications of these members shall be provided by law.
new text end

new text begin Members of the commission shall be appointed within the time provided by law,
but not later than March 15, when the commission is established in a year ending in the
number one. The Supreme Court shall fill any vacancy caused by failure to appoint a
member within the time required by law.
new text end

new text begin Sec. 2. new text end

new text begin The commission shall adopt plans for congressional and legislative districts
within the time provided by law, but not later than December 1, when the commission
is established in a year ending in the number one. The plan shall set forth all of the new
congressional and legislative districts. A plan is adopted by the commission when it is
approved by a vote of at least six of its members.
new text end

new text begin Sec. 3. new text end

new text begin A plan is effective when it is adopted and any judicial proceedings under
section 4 have been completed. The districts set forth in a plan shall govern elections of
state senators, state representatives, and representatives in Congress, beginning with the
first general election after the plan is effective.
new text end

new text begin Sec. 4. new text end

new text begin The Supreme Court shall exercise original jurisdiction in any matter relating to
redistricting in the manner provided by law. If the commission fails to adopt a plan within
the time provided by law, the Supreme Court shall adopt its own plan.
new text end

new text begin Sec. 5. new text end

new text begin The legislature may enact the laws necessary to implement this article, provided
that redistricting shall be governed by the law in effect on January 1 of the year in which a
commission is established.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.
new text end

new text begin The proposed amendment shall be submitted to the people at the 2008 general
election. The question proposed shall be:
new text end

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to transfer from the legislature to a
bipartisan commission the power to draw the boundaries of legislative and congressional
districts?
new text end

new text begin Yes ....... new text end

new text begin No ......." new text end