The Legislature\u2019s redistricting process would include the help of an independent commission under a bill given first-round approval April 4.<\/p>\n
Currently, the Legislature is responsible for drawing new governmental boundaries every 10 years after the decennial census 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.<\/p>\n
LB580, introduced by Gretna Sen. John Murante, would create the Independent Redistricting Citizen\u2019s Advisory Commission to assist in the process beginning in 2021.<\/p>\n
Calling the measure the best redistricting model in the nation, Murante said LB580 is the result of several years worth of research into how to effectively draw Nebraska\u2019s district lines. He said a citizen-run process that is subject to final legislative approval would increase public confidence in the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the best I think that we can do,\u201d he said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t eliminate partisanship\u2014it isn\u2019t perfect\u2014but it does minimize partisanship and it encourages public trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
An Executive Board amendment, adopted 26-1, replaced the bill.<\/p>\n
As amended, the commission would be established by Jan. 30 of each redistricting year. Each of the three legislative caucuses would appoint three people to serve on the commission, with no more than five members of the commission with the same political party affiliation.<\/p>\n
To be eligible for service on the commission, a person must be a Nebraska resident and a registered voter who, at the time of appointment, had not changed political party affiliation within the previous 24 months.<\/p>\n
Residents registered as lobbyists within the previous 12 months, public officials, candidates for elective office and those holding a political party office in Nebraska or the United States would not be eligible. Also ineligible would be an individual who is a relative of or employed by a member of Congress or the Legislature, a constitutional officer or an employee of the University of Nebraska.<\/p>\n
Omaha Sen. Heath Mello supported the measure, which he said was necessary following the tumultuous redistricting undertaken in 2011. The bill would provide a more transparent process that would focus on the public interest and not be driven primarily by partisan or political interests, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe tried to build what we thought was a process that works for the Legislature and a process that works for the public,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Under the bill, the following would be delivered to the Legislature no later than 30 days after the census data is received:
\n\u2022\tfinal maps illustrating each of the six redistricting plans adopted by the commission;
\n\u2022\tany corresponding public hearing reports;
\n\u2022\ta summary of differences between any of the redistricting plans adopted by the commission and the corresponding base maps developed by the research office; and
\n\u2022\tformal opinions from the secretary of state and the attorney general regarding the constitutionality of the maps.<\/p>\n
The chairperson of the Executive Board would introduce a bill for each redistricting plan adopted by the commission within two days of delivery of the final maps. The bills would be placed directly on general file.<\/p>\n
If any of the bills fail, do not pass or are vetoed by the governor, a new redistricting plan would be prepared.<\/p>\n
Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln spoke in support of the bill, calling the 2011 redistricting one of the most partisan and rancorous processes that she has witnessed in her time at the Legislature.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current system that we have does not work,\u201d she said. \u201c[This bill] is an excellent step forward to make sure that maps are drawn for the benefit of all Nebraskans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Papillion Sen. Bill Kintner opposed the bill, saying senators should not \u201chand off\u201d their responsibility to draw district lines to an unelected commission. While redistricting decisions may be contentious, he said, lawmakers should be the ones to draw the lines.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t elect a computer to do that,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople elected me because they knew where I stood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins agreed, saying other issues\u2014such as last year\u2019s vote to repeal the state\u2019s death penalty\u2014have been just as contentious as redistricting.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a bill in my mind to prevent contention in [the Legislature], but more a bill to protect both political parties,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Murante said senators still would have the final say on any maps drawn.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Legislature isn\u2019t giving away any authority,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Following adoption of a technical amendment on a 26-1 vote, lawmakers advanced the bill 30-5.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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