SF 2052

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/14/2017 09:54am

A bill for an act
relating to redistricting; establishing a redistricting commission; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 2.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [2.025] REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appointment. new text end

new text begin By March 1 of each year ending in one, members must
be appointed to a redistricting commission as provided in this subdivision to draw the
boundaries of legislative and congressional districts. The commission consists of seven
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 senate majority leader,
the senate minority leader, the speaker of the house, and the minority leader of the house
of representatives must each appoint one judge. The chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme
Court must appoint one judge. The chief judge of the Court of Appeals must appoint one
judge. The governor must appoint one judge. If an appointing authority fails to make an
appointment by the deadline, the vacancy must be filled by appointment by the chief justice
of the Minnesota Supreme Court no later than March 8 of that year. The director of the
Legislative Coordinating Commission must convene a meeting of the seven judges no later
than March 15 of that year. The judge appointed by the governor serves as the chair of the
commission.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Code of conduct. new text end

new text begin In performing their duties, the members of the commission
must abide by the Code of Judicial Conduct and are considered judicial officers within the
meaning of section 609.415.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Compensation and expenses. new text end

new text begin Members of the commission must be compensated
for their commission activity as provided in section 15.0575, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administrative support. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Coordinating Commission must
provide administrative support to the commission.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Plans submitted to commission. new text end

new text begin The commission must adopt a schedule for
interested persons to submit proposed plans to the commission and to respond to plans
proposed by others. The commission must adopt standards to govern the format of plans
submitted to it.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Public hearings. new text end

new text begin The commission must hold at least three public hearings in
different geographical regions of the state before adopting the first redistricting plans.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Adoption; deadlines. new text end

new text begin Each final redistricting plan must be adopted by a
two-thirds vote of all members. Once adopted, each plan must be filed with the secretary
of state. If no plan is adopted and filed with the secretary of state by February 15 in the year
following the year the commission convened its first meeting, the chief justice of the
Minnesota Supreme Court must appoint a panel to adopt the redistricting plan or plans that
were not adopted by the commission.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The commission expires when both legislative and congressional
redistricting plans have been adopted.
new text end