HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5764

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Government Operations

Title:  An act relating to the redistricting commission.

Brief Description:  Adjusting the procedures of the redistricting commission.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senator Cantu).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Operations:  3/24/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Reams, Chairman; Goldsmith, Vice Chairman; L. Thomas, Vice Chairman; Rust, Ranking Minority Member; Scott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chopp; R. Fisher; Hargrove; Honeyford; Hymes; Mulliken; D. Schmidt; Sommers; Van Luven and Wolfe.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7135).

Background:  Every 10 years, in the year ending in one, a five-member Redistricting Commission is appointed to redraw the boundaries of state legislative and congressional districts to reflect population changes as indicated by the federal decennial census.  The Redistricting Commission is required to submit a redistricting plan to the Legislature not later than January 1 of the following year.  After submission of the plan, the Legislature may amend the plan by a two-thirds vote in each house, but must do so by the end of the 30th day of the next legislative session.

Summary of Bill:  The Redistricting Commission must submit a redistricting plan to the Legislature no later than December 15 of the year ending in one. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The redistricting process is becoming more complex.  The Legislature needs more time to consider the redistricting plan before its constitutionally established time period for amending the plan expires.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Cantu, prime sponsor.