Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 1092
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Providing for the election of members of the house of representatives from house districts within each legislative district.
Sponsors: Representative Dunshee.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/27/11
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
The State Redistricting Commission (Commission) was established by constitutional amendment in 1983. The purpose of the Commission is to provide for the redistricting of state legislative and congressional districts every 10 years based on the federal Decennial Census.
The Commission is composed of five members. The legislative leader of each of the two largest political caucuses in each house of the Legislature appoint one person to the Commission. These appointments must be made by January 31. The fifth person is appointed by the four appointees. The Supreme Court makes the appointment of the fifth person if the appointment is not made by the other four members by February 5.
The Commission must complete its redistricting by no later than January 1 of the next year. At least three members of the Commission must approve the redistricting plan. The Supreme Court shall adopt a redistricting plan by April 30 of that year if the Commission fails to adopt a plan by January 1.
The Legislature may amend the redistricting plan by a two-thirds vote of the members elected to each house within 30 days of the first legislative session occurring after the commission submits its plan.
Each district must have a population, excluding nonresident military personnel, equal as practicable to the population of each other district. To the extent reasonable each district shall contain contiguous territory, shall be compact and convenient, and shall be separated from adjoining districts by natural geographic barriers, artificial barriers, or political boundaries. The Commission's plan may not be drawn purposely to favor or discriminate against any political party or group.
Article II, section 2, of the state Constitution provides that the House of Representatives shall be composed of between 63 and 99 members and that the Senate be composed not less than one-third or more than one-half of the number of members of the House of Representatives. Statute provides for 49 legislative districts, one senator elected from each of the 49 legislative districts, and two representatives elected from and run at large within each legislative district.
Prior to 1990 state law provided that the state be divided into 51 legislative (or representative) districts and 49 senatorial districts. Two senatorial districts, the 19th and the 39th, each contained two single-member representative districts. All other senatorial districts contained two-member representative districts. In 1990 a change was made providing for 49 legislative districts. Two members of the House of Representatives and one member of the Senate must be elected from each district. The two members of the House must run at large within each district.
Summary of Bill:
The Commission must draw its redistricting plan to incorporate two separate house districts, denoted as house district A and B, within each legislative district. The provisions for drawing boundaries for legislative districts also apply to drawing boundaries for house districts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.