Background and Procedural Information

On January 14, 2008 Florida Democratic Senator Charlie Justice introduced Florida Senate Bill 1114 (FL S.B. 1114).  On May 2, 2008 FL S.B. 1114 died in a Senate Committee.  

Under the proposed legislation, are single-member districts a requirement or otherwise implied?

Yes.  All Congressional, Florida Senate, and Florida House of Representative districts are required to be single-member.  

Does the proposed legislation provide for Voting Rights Act compliance (e.g. can the commission use voter history information)?

The bill requires the commission to use five redistricting standards.  The fifth standard requires the commission to not “dilute the voting strength of any racial or language minority group.”  There is no language in the bill that prohibits the commission from using voter history information.

Under the proposed legislation, how is the commission formed?

The President of the Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House and the House Minority Leader shall each appoint two members from their own party to serve on the commission.  These eight members then appoint a ninth member, who cannot be a member of either major party, to serve as chairman.  The final redistricting plan must be approved by six of the nine commissioners.
 
Under the proposed legislation, are competitive districts favored?

No.  The five standards that guide the commission do not include any provisions on creating competitive districts.   

Under the proposed legislation, can members of the public submit plans?

No.  Members of the public may not submit plans.   

Does the proposed legislation allow for mid-decade redistricting?

Only if a court has ordered it.