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CA AB849
Bill
AI Summary
AB 849 Summary
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Establishes the Fair And Inclusive Redistricting for Municipalities And Political Subdivisions (FAIR MAPS) Act requiring counties and cities to adopt new district boundaries following each federal decennial census using specified criteria prioritizing geographic contiguity, community of interest preservation, and compactness while prohibiting partisan gerrymandering.
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Sets redistricting adoption deadlines of no earlier than August 1, 2021 (and every year ending in 1 thereafter) and no later than 151 days before the next regular election after March 1, 2022 (and every year ending in 2 thereafter).
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Requires minimum four public hearings per redistricting cycle—at least one before draft maps are drawn and two after—with at least one hearing held on weekends or after 6 p.m., live translation services, and internet publication of all materials and recordings for at least 10 years.
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Prohibits redistricting between census cycles except when court-ordered, settling legal claims, or when city/county boundaries change, and allows superior courts to adopt district boundaries if local jurisdictions miss deadlines, with costs paid by the jurisdiction.
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Applies population equality requirements to incarcerated persons only if their last known residence information is included in California's public redistricting database, and requires local jurisdictions to encourage participation from underrepresented and non-English speaking communities.
Legislative Description
Elections: city and county redistricting.
Last Action
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 557, Statutes of 2019.
10/8/2019