HF4598 Summary

• Proposes constitutional amendment to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission with 15 members (5 from each major party, 5 non-affiliated) to adopt congressional and legislative district boundaries following each decennial census, effective December 31, 2031.

• Creates a Redistricting Commission Applicant Screening Panel with three retired judges (appointed by Chief Justice) to solicit and screen applicants, establish qualified candidate pools by July 1, and select finalists by September 15 of census years.

• Establishes redistricting principles prioritized in order: population equality, minority representation, community of interest preservation, contiguity, minimizing political subdivision divisions, compactness, and natural geographic boundaries.

• Prohibits legislators from serving as lobbyists while in office and for one year following legislative service; expands public official definition to include redistricting commission members.

• Modifies constitutional requirements for regular legislative sessions and includes fallback Citizens Advisory Redistricting Commission (15 public members) effective January 1, 2025 if constitutional amendment is not ratified.