S-3991.1

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8415

BySenators Braun, Boehnke, Dozier, Fortunato, Gildon, Hawkins, Holy, King, MacEwen, McCune, Mullet, Muzzall, Rivers, Schoesler, Short, Torres, Wagoner, Warnick, J. Wilson, and L. Wilson

WHEREAS, Article II, section 43 of the state Constitution and state law requires the establishment of a redistricting commission to provide for the redistricting of state legislative and congressional districts; and

WHEREAS, Under RCW 44.05.120, if a commission has ceased to exist, the legislature may, upon an affirmative vote in each house of two-thirds of the members elected or appointed thereto, adopt legislation reconvening the commission for the purpose of modifying the redistricting plan; and

WHEREAS, On August 10, 2023, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington found that Washington's legislative map for the Yakima Valley region violates the federal Voting Rights Act; and

WHEREAS, The court held that the state is authorized to adopt revised legislative district maps for the Yakima Valley region pursuant to the process set forth in the state Constitution and state law by February 7, 2024;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That the redistricting commission reconvene to adopt revised legislative district maps for the Yakima Valley region, pursuant to the process set forth in the state Constitution and state law.

--- END ---