SB 136 Summary

• Establishes a 9-member redistricting commission appointed by legislative leaders (2 members each from house speaker, house minority leader, senate president pro tempore, and senate minority leader) with a chair selected by members or appointed by the chief justice if members fail to appoint by March 1 of redistricting year.

• Requires the legislative services agency to provide staff and administrative support to the commission and prohibits agency employees from using political data (party registration, voting history, election returns) in creating or evaluating redistricting plans, with violations classified as Level 6 felonies.

• Mandates the commission recommend plans for 100 house districts, 50 senate districts, and Indiana's allocated congressional districts based on population, with at least one public hearing in each of three regions (northern, central, southern Indiana) by June 30 and final recommendations by August 1 of redistricting year.

• If Indiana Constitution requires legislative action, the general assembly must enact redistricting bills before October 1 of redistricting year; if not required by Constitution, the commission's recommendations become effective plans beginning with the next general election.

• Establishes redistricting standards requiring districts to be contiguous, compact, based on population with limited deviation, and respecting political subdivision boundaries while prohibiting consideration of individual residence addresses or voting history.