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This week I will discuss the interim charges recently issued to the House Committee on Redistricting. Interim charges are the issues that the Speaker asks committees to study during the time between regular legislative sessions in order to make recommendations for legislation for the following legislative session. The charges are good indicators of what legislation the legislature will take up during the next session. Legislators rely on public input when crafting legislation, and it is important that they hear from people during the interim.
House Committee on Redistricting
• Study State Board of Education districts to determine whether the size of the districts inhibits the ability of board members to provide representation to their constituents and whether a change to the number of districts or the makeup of the board would enhance the ability of the board to perform its duties.
• Gather information regarding the commissions used by other states in redistricting. Study the differences in the results between states that use commissions versus legislatures during the 2011 redistricting cycle.
• Monitor the pending redistricting litigation and determine any follow-up that may be necessary.
There were several suits filed by various entities opposing the maps that the legislature drew last session. In late February, a federal court issued interim maps for the 2012 elections. As a result of the delay in implementing the new maps, Texas primaries have been moved from March 6 to Tuesday, May 29th.
The House Committee on Redistricting can be reached at 512-463-0296. For more information on these charges or any other matter of state government, please contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us. My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.