IN HB1262

Establishes a new five-member redistricting commission appointed by legislative leaders to create and recommend plans for redrawing state general assembly and congressional districts, effective July 1, 2014.

Requires the legislative services agency to provide staff and administrative services to the commission and establishes redistricting standards including population equality (±1%), contiguity, compactness, and minimization of political subdivision divisions.

If the Indiana Constitution does not require the general assembly to establish legislative districts, the commission's recommendations automatically become the official redistricting plans; if it does require legislative action, the general assembly must meet and pass redistricting bills by October 1 of the redistricting year.

Commission members must be Indiana residents meeting strict eligibility criteria, including not having held elected office, been a political candidate, or been registered as a lobbyist within six years prior to appointment; the chair must be a political independent selected from a list of qualified candidates.

Repeals the previous congressional redistricting commission law and appropriates necessary funds from the state general fund to implement the new redistricting process.