The House Committee on Redistricting
88th Legislature
March 30, 2023
8:00 a.m.
JHR 140
Pursuant to a notice posted on March 24, 2023, revised on March 28, 2023, the House Committee on Redistricting met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Darby, at 8:04 a.m.
The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Darby; Turner; Campos; Cunningham; Goldman; Jetton; Murr; and Schofield.
A quorum was present.
The chair made the following statement to the committee and directed the clerk to enter the text of that statement into the minutes as follows:
“Members, good morning and welcome to the House Committee on Redistricting for the 88th Legislative Session. I would like to welcome back the 11 returning members to this committee and thank you for your diligent work during the 87th Legislature. Welcome to the three new committee members as well.
A few housekeeping items before we begin:
· Public notice of this hearing was given on March 24, 2023, according to Rule 4, Section 11 (a) of the Texas House Rules;
· As outlined in the posting, today's hearing will be invited testimony only. Members of the public who wish to electronically submit comments may refer to the public notice posting;
· The comment period on the matters before us today will close upon adjournment of this hearing;
· This hearing is being livestreamed and a recording will also be available on the House website; and
· Finally, to members of the public watching, we have a large committee, and several members may have pending matters before other committees, so they may be coming and going this morning. Please do not interpret that as they are not interested in the matters before this committee.
As you know, the 24th Decennial Census was delayed due to the pandemic, and the census data was not received during the regular session of the 87th Legislature, in 2021. During the Third Called Special Session of the 87th Legislature the Legislature adopted new district maps for the Legislative, State Board of Education, and Congressional districts. The districts adopted under Plan H2316 in 2021 were the districts used in the 2022 elections and remain in effect today.
(Representative Landgraf now present.)
The House Redistricting Committee of the 87th Legislature put in numerous hours listening to public input and working with members to develop the thoughtful plan ultimately adopted.
With that we are here this morning to begin the process of fulfilling our constitutional duty under Article III, Section 28 of the Texas Constitution, which states in part:
‘The Legislature shall, at its first regular session after the publication of each United States decennial census, apportion the state into senatorial and representative districts...’
The 88th Legislature is the first regular session after the publication of the 2020 census. This morning we will hear from the Texas Legislative Council. Members, you will be provided a memorandum containing links to the legislative record created and considered during the 87th Legislature, including public comments and testimony. I encourage you to review these materials in advance of our next meeting.
Next week, we will meet on Wednesday – note that’s Wednesday, not Thursday – to consider and hear public testimony on House Bill 1000, relating to the composition of districts for the election of members of the Texas House of Representatives.
As mentioned previously, the sole purpose of this bill is to ensure that the legislature has fulfilled its duty under Article III, Section 28, of the Texas Constitution by ratifying the current maps so that the Legislative Redistricting Board is not required to meet and substitute its judgement for that of the Legislature. It is not the Chair’s intent at this time to take a vote on the bill next week.”
The committee heard testimony on redistricting matters from the Texas Legislative Council.
Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)
(Representative Morrison now present.)
Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)
(Representative Anchía now present.)
Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)
(Representative Rose now present.)
Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)
At 8:40 a.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.
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Rep. Darby, Chair
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Laramie Stroud, Clerk