ND HCR3012

Creates a five-member legislative redistricting commission appointed by legislative leaders no later than April 15 following each federal decennial census, with the fifth member selected unanimously to serve as chairman.

Commission chairman must not have held legislative or statewide office in the five years preceding appointment, been a registered lobbyist in the year before appointment, or be eligible for ballot candidacy within two years after service.

Commission must establish district plans with equal population in a gridlike pattern, based on visible geographic features and political subdivision boundaries, and explicitly prohibited from using political affiliation, voting data, incumbent locations, or race/ethnicity unless required by federal law.

Plans must be released for public comment by July 1 of the year following the census, with public hearings held during the 30-day comment period, and filed with the secretary of state within 60 days after comment period closes.

Requires voter approval by general election in 2012 and amends constitutional provisions to shift redistricting authority from the legislative assembly to the independent commission and allows limited two-year terms for newly elected members to stagger senate and house terms.