Senate Bill No. 54 Summary

• Establishes a nine-member redistricting commission appointed by legislative leaders to create and recommend plans for general assembly and congressional districts, with a retired judge as chair appointed by commission members or the chief justice if needed by March 15 of redistricting year.

• Requires the legislative services agency to provide staff and administrative services to the commission and prohibits the agency from using political data (party registration, voting history, election returns) in creating or evaluating redistricting plans.

• Sets redistricting standards requiring 100 house districts, 50 senate districts, and congressionally-allocated districts that are contiguous, compact, based on population with specified deviation limits, and respect political subdivision boundaries where possible.

• Mandates the commission hold public hearings in three regions of Indiana by June 30 of redistricting year, receive public comments, and submit recommendations to the general assembly by August 1, with recommendations becoming effective plans if the state constitution does not require legislative enactment.

• Makes use of political data by agency employees or contractors in redistricting a Class D felony, as well as soliciting or inducing such use; appropriates necessary funds from the state general fund and makes the statute effective July 1, 2013.