H648 - NC FAIR State & Congressional Districts Act Summary

• Establishes an Independent Redistricting Commission to draw state legislative and congressional districts, replacing the General Assembly's direct role in redistricting following the 2020 census and thereafter.

• Commission consists of 16 members: 11 voting members (2 each selected by Senate/House majority and minority leaders, plus 3 unaffiliated members selected by the other 8) and 5 nonvoting alternates, with members prohibited from recent political party involvement, lobbying, public office, or family connections to elected officials.

• Requires redistricting to prioritize voter population equality, contiguity, compactness, and political subdivision boundaries while explicitly prohibiting consideration of political affiliations, previous election results, incumbent addresses, or voting tendency data.

• Mandates state legislative districts maintain within 5% of ideal population and congressional districts within 0.1% of ideal population; requires a Special Master (independent redistricting expert) to prepare proposed plans by April 1 of census years.

• Commission must submit one proposed plan with at least 6 member approval to the General Assembly within 30 days of receiving Special Master's plans, with a General Assembly member required to introduce the plan within 3 legislative days.