DE SB48

Creates an 11-member Redistricting Commission for the State of Delaware to be appointed every 10 years following the federal decennial census to redistrict legislative districts for the State Senate and House of Representatives.

Commission composition: 10 members appointed by legislative leadership (one each from House Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Leader, Minority Whip, Senate President Pro Tempore, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Majority Whip, Senate Minority Leader, and Senate Minority Whip), plus an 11th member elected as Chair by the appointed members by February 10th of each redistricting year.

Establishes eligibility requirements: Commission members cannot hold elective office, be registered lobbyists within one year prior to appointment, be state officials within two years of appointment, serve as campaign officers within two years of appointment, or be candidates for the General Assembly following redistricting.

Requires Commission to conduct open and transparent process including a public website with district maps and demographic data, four public hearings (one per county plus City of Wilmington), and submission of preliminary plan by May and final plan by June 15th to the General Assembly.

If General Assembly fails to enact a redistricting plan by September 30th, a two-member judicial panel (State Chancellor and Superior Court Judge from different political parties) shall create a final and binding redistricting plan by November 30th.