NC H735

Establishes an Independent Redistricting Commission with nine members appointed by the Governor (3), Speaker of the House (2), House minority leader (1), Senate President Pro Tempore (2), and Senate minority leader (1) to oversee redistricting beginning with the 2020 census.

Requires the Commission to use computer software programs with politically neutral criteria to create district plans for state Senate, House, and U.S. House of Representatives districts, with plans due by October 1 following each decennial census.

Prohibits the Commission from considering voter political affiliation, previous election voting data, incumbent residence locations, socioeconomic data, or non-Census demographic data when drawing districts.

Establishes district goals including political neutrality, compactness, equal representation, and minimizing split counties and municipalities, with precincts not to be split and all districts to be contiguous.

Removes the General Assembly's authority to adopt legislative and congressional district plans and requires voter approval of the constitutional amendments via referendum in November 2018, effective beginning with 2020 redistricting.