Redistricting commission proposal stalls

After extended debate on select file April 8, an attempt to force a vote on a measure that would create an independent redistricting commission in Nebraska failed.

Every 10 years, after the decennial census, the Legislature is responsible for drawing new governmental boundaries for districts pertaining to the U.S. House of Representatives, the Legislature, Public Service Commission, University of Nebraska Board of Regents and the State Board of Education.

LB976, as introduced by Wilber Sen. Russ Karpisek, would create an Independent Redistricting Advisory Commission. Each congressional legislative caucus would choose two commission members, subject to approval by the full Legislature.

The six-member commission would submit proposed redistricting maps to the Legislature for approval.

Karpisek said the bill would be a first step toward removing partisanship from the redistricting process, which he said was an issue when lines were redrawn in 2011.

“What can it hurt to let an independent, nonpartisan group sit down and do this? I think this is a good idea and it can only improve our [process],” he said.

Omaha Sen. Heath Mello spoke in favor of the bill, saying supporters were willing to address any technical concerns raised by the opposition. He expressed doubt, however, that those concerns dealt with the substantive aspects of LB976.

“There are no arguments against this bill except that you want to keep a partisan redistricting process,” he said.

Papillion Sen. Bill Kintner opposed the bill. An independent redistricting commission simply would trade one partisan process for another, he said. Individuals who would want to serve on such a commission likely would be ideologically driven, he said, and voters would not be able to hold commission members accountable for their decisions.

“There’s no such thing as non-ideological people … everyone’s got an agenda,” Kintner said.

Senators narrowly rejected several motions that were offered in an effort to extend debate.

After four hours of discussion, Karpisek offered a cloture motion, which ceases debate and forces a vote on all pending action on a bill. The motion failed on a vote of 27-22, six votes short of the number required.

A failed cloture motion prevents further debate on a bill for the day. LB976 is unlikely to be scheduled for further debate this session.