PA HB1215

Establishes a 15-member Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission in each year ending in zero, composed of 5 members from each of the two largest political parties and 5 unaffiliated members, to draw Pennsylvania's congressional district maps

Requires commissioners to meet strict eligibility criteria, including no candidacy for or service in federal, state, or county office within 6 years, and no lobbying registration or political party committee membership during that period

Mandates at least 9 public hearings before maps are drawn and 6 hearings after proposed maps are released, with a 30-day public comment period and all data, maps, and communications posted on a public website

Prohibits maps from unduly favoring any political party, candidate, or incumbent, and requires districts to be contiguous, comply with federal voting rights laws, and minimize splits of counties and municipalities

Requires final map approval by at least 9 commissioners including 2 from each party category by October 15 of years ending in one; if the commission fails, the map goes to the General Assembly for majority approval, with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court having original jurisdiction over legal challenges