2012 -- H 7841

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LC01613

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- REDISTRICTING FAIRNESS

     Introduced By: Representative Spencer E. Dickinson

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2012

     Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 22 of the General Laws entitled "GENERAL ASSEMBLY" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 20

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REDISTRICTING FAIRNESS

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     22-20-1. Redistricting fairness required. -- (a) Whenever the general assembly districts

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are redistricted for whatever reason, the following provisions shall apply:

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     (1) Redistricting shall be executed by a commission independent of elected officials. The

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commission shall be appointed from the ranks of retired members of the judiciary as follows: The

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governor shall appoint three (3) members; each general officer shall appoint two (2) members for

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a total of eleven (11) members.

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     (2) The commission shall select and appoint a technical consultant to be paid by the

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administration according to a budget appropriation approved by the general assembly.

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     (3) The commission is hereby empowered and shall establish, publish, and carry out a

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procedure which shall accomplish redistricting in accordance with the following standards:

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     (i) Any federal requirements;

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     (ii) Diversity;

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     (iii) Compactness;

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     (iv) In the interest of maintaining continuity between voters and their representatives, the

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redistricting plan shall provide for moving no more people than is necessary to accomplish

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population balance consistent with other requirements;

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     (v) Residences of existing seated elected representatives and senators, regardless of party

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affiliation, shall remain in the geographic areas of their current districts to the maximum extent

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possible consistent with other requirements; and

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     (vi) In no case shall redistricting be intended to change a seated official, and in no case

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shall redistricting be used to influence the outcome of an election or otherwise bring about a

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specific or intended electoral outcome.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01613

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- REDISTRICTING FAIRNESS

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     This act would provide for fairness in redistricting by establishing a commission

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independent of elected officials and criteria to follow taking into consideration federal law,

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diversity and compactness.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01613

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