NC H714

Creates a 14-member Joint Legislative Study Committee on Fair Redistricting with members appointed by the Speaker, President Pro Tempore, minority party leaders, and Governor, with expertise in redistricting and voting rights.

Directs the Committee to study and provide guidance on fair redistricting principles for 2020 House, Senate, and Congressional districts that comply with the Voting Rights Act and constitutional protections against racial and partisan gerrymandering.

Requires the Committee to examine public input strategies, map-drawing methods excluding partisan data, court assessment tools for district compliance, and models from other jurisdictions for reducing gerrymandering.

Requires the Committee to submit a final report with findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than June 15, 2018, or provide separate majority and minority reports if consensus cannot be reached.

Committee members receive subsistence and travel expenses; professional staff support provided by Legislative Services Commission; Committee terminates upon filing final report or June 15, 2018, whichever occurs first.