SF4785 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission composed of 15 members (5 from each major political party and 5 unaffiliated) to adopt congressional and legislative district boundaries by December 31 following each decennial census.

• Creates a Redistricting Commission Applicant Screening Panel of 3 retired judges to solicit and evaluate applications from qualified public members, establishing pools of 30 candidates in each party category by July 1 of the census year.

• Prohibits current and former legislators (within 6 years) from being employed as lobbyists while in office and for one year after leaving office, with "lobbyist" to be defined by law.

• Establishes redistricting principles prioritizing equal population, minority voting rights, community of interest preservation, contiguity, and partisan fairness with statewide district proportions corresponding closely to voter preferences.

• Provides for Supreme Court jurisdiction over redistricting disputes, implements statutory procedures for the commission's operations, and amends legislative district numbering requirements, effective January 1, 2030, if approved by voters at the 2024 general election.