Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that amends the Virginia Constitution in order to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission composed of lawmakers and citizens.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Virginia Redistricting Commission which will reapportion the state’s districts after each decennial census beginning in 2020 (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that the commission will consist of 16 members, made up of the following (Sec. 6):

• 2 members of State Senate who belong to the majority party;

• 2 members of the State Senate who belong to the minority party:

• 2 members of the House of Delegates who belong to the majority party;

• 2 members of the House of Delegates who belong to the minority party; and

• 8 members of the citizenry who will be selected by the General Assembly.

• Requires that, for citizen selections, the majority and minority leaders in both chambers of the General Assembly must submit a list of at least 16 candidates to the commission, each of which will receive 2 selections (Sec. 6). 

• Establishes a Redistricting Commission Selection Committee consisting of 5 retired judges from the state circuit courts, 4 of whom will be selected by the majority and minority leaders in both chambers of the General Assembly, and 1 of whom will be selected by the first 4 selections (Sec. 6).

• Requires the commission to hold a public meeting at which a citizen member will be selected as chairman (Sec. 6).

• Requires the commission to submit redistricting plans by the later date of July 1 of the census year, or 45 days after the receipt of census data for the General Assembly, and 60 days for the U.S. House of Representatives (Sec. 6). 

• Specifies that for redistricting plans to be proposed to the General Assembly, they must first receive the approval of 6 out of 8 legislative, and 6 out of 8 citizen members of the commission (Sec. 6). 

• Prohibits amendments on redistricting bills that reach the General Assembly (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that if the deadlines for the submission or approval of redistricting plans are missed, the districts will be determined by the Supreme Court of Virginia (Sec. 6). 

• Requires the commission to hold at least 3 public hearings to receive comments from the public prior to redistricting (Sec. 6). 

Full Bill Text