HR5449-119

What This Bill Does

The Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 creates a federal framework for congressional map drawing. It requires congressional redistricting to be conducted through independent state redistricting commissions, or through a three-judge court plan if a commission plan is not enacted. It bars additional mid-decade congressional redistricting until after the next House apportionment unless a court requires new maps for constitutional, Voting Rights Act, state constitutional, or Act-compliance reasons. The district criteria require single-member districts, equal population, Voting Rights Act compliance, protection against vote dilution, continuity of representation, preservation of political subdivisions and communities of interest, compactness, public notice, and limits on favoring or disfavoring parties, incumbents, or candidates. Title II creates 15-member independent commissions selected through nonpartisan agencies, eligibility pools, party-category balance, conflict rules, public meetings, map publication, records, explanations, internet disclosure, diversity reporting, and state administrative support. Courts provide fallback redistricting when required. The Election Assistance Commission must pay each state $150,000 times its House seat count for redistricting costs, and the Attorney General or aggrieved citizens may sue to enforce the Act. The bill preserves state and local election districting outside congressional maps.

Who Benefits and How

Voters in congressional districts benefit because maps must be drawn under transparent criteria rather than ordinary partisan legislative control. Protected voter communities benefit because the criteria incorporate Voting Rights Act compliance and coalition-district protections. Independent redistricting commission staff benefit from a federal mandate, selection process, public procedures, and administrative support. Election transparency organizations benefit from required public hearings, map disclosures, explanations, online access, and preserved records.

Who Bears the Burden and How

State legislatures lose unilateral control over congressional redistricting and may not rely on mid-decade map changes except for legal compliance. State nonpartisan agencies must build selection pools, appoint commissioners, and operate the commission-support process. Federal three-judge courts must draw or select plans when commission plans are not enacted or when courts require redistricting. Election Assistance Commission staff must calculate and distribute $150,000-per-seat payments and monitor state certifications.

Key Provisions

• Requires independent commission or three-judge court plans for congressional redistricting.
• Limits mid-decade redistricting unless courts require new maps for constitutional, Voting Rights Act, state constitutional, or Act-compliance reasons.
• Establishes redistricting criteria for population equality, Voting Rights Act compliance, communities of interest, subdivisions, compactness, and partisan neutrality.
• Creates 15-member independent commissions with eligibility pools, conflict rules, public hearings, internet disclosure, and records.
• Authorizes EAC payments of $150,000 per House seat and civil enforcement by the Attorney General or aggrieved citizens.