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2012 -- H 7841 | |
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LC01613 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
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JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012 | |
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A N A C T | |
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RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- REDISTRICTING FAIRNESS | |
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Introduced By: Representative Spencer E. Dickinson | |
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Date Introduced: February 28, 2012 | |
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Referred To: House Judiciary | |
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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 | |
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BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
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OF | |
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A N A C T | |
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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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