Establishes a districting commission to draw senate, assembly and congressional districts

BILL NUMBER:S8521

Title of bill

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 3 of the constitution, in relation to senate, assembly and congressional districts, and to repeal sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 5-a and 7 of such article relating thereto

Purpose

This constitutional amendment creates a new independent commission to redistrict the state's senate, assembly and congressional by removing such authority from the legislature and Governor and vesting it in a new commission consisting of eight commissioners selected by the legislative leaders and an independent ninth member selected by the other commis- sioners with the Governor's approval.

The amendment would repeal §§ 2,3,4,5,5-a, and 7 of Article III and substitute new §§ 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. This amendment incorporates the recommendations of the New York City Bar Association's report "A Proposed New York State Constitutional Amendment to Emancipate Redis- tricting from partisan Gerrymanders: Partisanship Channeled for Fair Line Drawing" (2007).

Justification

Article III of the New York State Constitution vests legislative redis- tricting authority in the Senate and Assembly. This amendment creates a new independent redistricting commission for the Senate, Assembly and congressional districts. The legislature's role in developing and adopt- ing redistricting plans is repealed. Enactment of this amendment will help insure that legislative districts are drawn in a fair and independ- ent manner.

Existing law

None.

Legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

January 1, 2012