What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create a nonpartisan commission, instead of legislators, to draw state legislative districts.
Why it matters
Reduces direct lawmaker control over district lines. By shifting the power to draw legislative districts from elected officials to a nonpartisan commission, this amendment aims to limit potential conflicts of interest or gerrymandering that can arise when lawmakers control their own district boundaries.
Legislative oversight remains. Although the commission draws the maps, the legislature still has final approval, which means the process is not entirely independent but could provide an additional check on overtly partisan redistricting.
Potential for increased transparency and public trust. Making the redistricting process less overtly political could improve public confidence in the fairness and integrity of legislative representation.
Implementation details left to future legislation. The amendment requires the legislature to pass further laws to specify how the commission will operate, meaning the practical impact will depend on how future lawmakers define "qualified individuals," appointment procedures, and commission rules.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Independent District Map Commission
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to governmental operations
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
122
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 3 of the constitution, in relation to nonpartisan establishment of state legislative districts
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 3 of the constitution be amended by adding a new section 5-c to read as follows:
§ 5-c. A nonpartisan commission comprised of qualified individuals, that shall consist of members that are not elected to the senate or assembly, shall apportion senate and assembly districts according to population and geographical guidelines and requirements contained in this article and other applicable law. The legislature shall appoint members to the commission. The commission's final apportionment boundaries shall be subject to legislative approval. The legislature shall enact such laws as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89024-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.