MS HC34

Proposes amendment to Section 254 of the Mississippi Constitution to designate a legislature-chosen agency to create the state apportionment plan rather than the Legislature creating it directly.

Requires the Legislature to approve the apportionment plan by majority vote of all members in each house at its regular session in the second year following each decennial census and every ten years thereafter.

Maintains existing procedures for special apportionment sessions if the Legislature adjourns without approval, and establishes a five-member commission (including the Chief Justice, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Speaker, and Senate President Pro Tempore) to apportion the Legislature if the special session fails to adopt a plan within 180 days.

Specifies that apportionment must divide the state into consecutively numbered senatorial and representative districts of contiguous territory in compliance with state and federal constitutions.

Submits the proposed amendment to voters on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2011 and requires submission to the U.S. Attorney General under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.