MN SF3513

Proposes a constitutional amendment to transfer redistricting authority from the legislature to a 15-member Independent Redistricting Commission (5 members from each major party, 5 unaffiliated) that must adopt congressional and legislative district boundaries by December 31 of the year following each decennial census

Prohibits legislators from working as lobbyists while in office and for one year after leaving office, and allows the lieutenant governor to cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate and the secretary of state to cast tie-breaking votes in the House

Establishes a three-member Redistricting Commission Applicant Screening Panel of retired judges appointed by the chief justice to create pools of 30 qualified applicants in each partisan category, from which commission members are selected by random lot

Requires redistricting plans to achieve partisan fairness by ensuring the proportion of districts favoring each party corresponds within 3 percentage points to statewide voter preferences, while also protecting minority voting rights, keeping communities of interest intact, and minimizing division of political subdivisions

Creates a backup Citizens Advisory Redistricting Commission (Article 3) that becomes effective January 1, 2027, only if voters reject the constitutional amendment at the 2026 general election