Amends TCA Title 3, Chapter 1.

Present law requires that redistricting for the general assembly and congress comply with the federal and state constitutions and applicable federal law. This bill establishes the following list and order of criteria for creating a redistricting plan:<br /> <br /> (1) Comply with the federal constitution;<br /> <br /> (2) Comply with the state constitution;<br /> <br /> (3) Comply with applicable federal laws;<br /> <br /> (4) Maintain to the extent practicable communities of interest, neighborhoods, and political subdivisions; and<br /> <br /> (5) Maintain contiguous and compact districts, with contiguity by water being sufficient.<br /> <br /> In order to limit redistricting based on political affiliation and except as necessary to meet constitutional requirements and the requirements of federal law, this bill prohibits the use of the following criteria to develop a redistricting plan:<br /> <br /> (1) The location of the residence of a member of congress or the general assembly; or<br /> <br /> (2) The political party affiliation or voting history of the population of a district.<br /> <br /> This bill establishes a process for public review and comment on a proposed redistricting plan and requires that any meetings in which members of the general assembly will be considering and deliberating on the redistricting plans be held publicly after at least 14 days in advance notice to the public.<br />