as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
A bill for an act
relating to elections; establishing districting principles for legislative and
congressional plans; providing for appointment of a commission to recommend
the boundaries of legislative and congressional districts; limiting redistricting to
once per decade; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 2.021; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 2; repealing Minnesota
Statutes 2006, section 2.031.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 2.021, is amended to read:
deleted text begin For each legislature, until a new apportionment
shall have been made,deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end The senate is composed of 67 members and the house of
representatives is composed of 134 members.new text begin The membership is apportioned throughout
the state in 67 senate districts and 134 house districts. Each senate district is entitled to
elect one senator and each house district is entitled to elect one representative.
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(b) A plan for congressional districts must have eight districts, each entitled to
elect a single member.
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The districts must be created to encourage political
competition, as defined by the commission established under section 2.025.
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The commission shall weigh equally the redistricting principles
required by state and federal law, so far as the United States Constitution and federal
law allow.
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By March 1 of each year ending in one, a redistricting
commission is created to draw the boundaries of legislative and congressional districts in
accordance with the principles established in section 2.021. The commission consists of
five retired judges of the appellate or district courts of this state who have not served in
a party designated or party endorsed position, such as legislator. The majority leader of
the senate, the minority leader of the senate, the speaker of the house, and the minority
leader of the house shall each appoint one judge. The four judges thus appointed shall
choose the fifth judge. The five judges shall select one of their number to serve as chair
of the commission.
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In performing their duties, the members of the
commission shall abide by the Code of Judicial Conduct and are considered judicial
officers within the meaning of section 609.415.
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Members of the commission must be
compensated for their commission activity as provided in section 15.0575, subdivision 3.
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The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall
provide administrative support to the commission.
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The commission shall submit to the legislature for its approval
or rejection, but not for modification, redistricting plans for legislative and congressional
seats by May 15 of the year ending in one. If a plan submitted by the commission is
rejected by the legislature, the commission shall submit a second plan for approval or
rejection, but not for modification, by January 15 of the year ending in two. If a second
plan is rejected by the legislature, the commission shall submit a third plan, which may be
accepted, rejected, or modified by the legislature, by February 1 of the year ending in two.
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Upon enactment of a redistricting plan into law, the
secretary of state shall commence an action for a declaratory judgment that the plan
complies with federal law and the Minnesota Constitution. The Supreme Court shall have
original jurisdiction over the action, but may appoint a judicial panel or special master to
assist the court, as the court deems necessary.
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The commission expires when both legislative and
congressional redistricting plans have been enacted into law and declared valid by the
Supreme Court, or adopted by court order, or upon adjournment sine die of the legislature
at its first regular session after each federal decennial census, whichever occurs first.
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Once a valid redistricting plan for legislative or congressional districts has been
enacted or adopted and used in a state general election, no changes to that plan may be
enacted or adopted during the remainder of that decade.
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Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 2.031,
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is repealed.
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