Districting - Single-Member Districts and Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Convention

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0056*

HOUSE BILL 56
G1 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 6lr0839
HB 203/25 – HRU (PRE–FILED)
By: Delegate Bouchat
Requested: September 15, 2025
Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Districting – Single–Member Districts and Legislative and Congressional 2
Redistricting and Apportionment Convention 3

FOR the purpose of requiring t hat each legislative district established for the purpose of 4
electing members of the House of Delegates consist of a certain number of 5
single–member delegate districts; requiring the General Assembly to enact a law 6
establishing and governing a Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and 7
Apportionment Convention to establish legislative and congressional districts and 8
establishing certain requirements regarding the Redistricting Convention; providing 9
that plans certified by the Redistricting Convention become law on certain dates 10
under certain circumstances; establishing the Legislative and Congressional 11
Redistricting and Apportionment Convention; authorizing the General Assembly to 12
challenge the legality of a plan certified by the Redistricting Conventi on; requiring 13
the Supreme Court of Maryland to take certain actions under certain circumstances 14
regarding legislative and congressional districting; and generally relating to 15
legislative and congressional districting. 16

BY proposing an amendment to the Maryland Constitution 17
Article III – Legislative Department 18
Section 3 and 5 19

BY proposing an amendment to the Maryland Constitution 20
Article IV – Judiciary Department 21
Section 14 22

BY adding to 23
Article – Election Law 24
Section 8 –7A–01 through 8 –7A–11 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 7A. 25
Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Convention” 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
2 HOUSE BILL 56

(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 1

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 2
(Three–fifths of all the members elected to each of the two Houses concurring), That it be 3
proposed that the Maryland Constitution read as follows: 4

Article III – Legislative Department 5

3. 6

The State shall be divided by law into legislative districts for the election of members 7
of the Senate and the House of Delegates. Each legislative district shall contain one (1) 8
Senator and three (3) Delegates. [Nothing herein shall prohibit the subdivision of any one 9
or more ] EACH of the legislative districts ESTABLISHED for the purpose of electing 10
members of the House of Delegates [into] SHALL CONSIST OF three (3) single –member 11
delegate districts [or one (1) single –member delegate district and one (1) multi –member 12
delegate district]. 13

5. 14

(A) IN THIS SECTION , “REDISTRICTING CONVENTION” MEANS THE 15
LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND APPORTIONMENT 16
CONVENTION. 17

(B) SUBJECT TO THE REQUIR EMENTS OF THIS SECTI ON, THE GENERAL 18
ASSEMBLY SHALL ENACT A LAW ESTABLISHING A ND GOVERNING A LEGISLATIVE 19
AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND APPORTIONMENT CONVENTION. 20

(C) (1) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1 OF THE YEAR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING 21
THE DECENNIAL CENSUS, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE ELECTED BY 22
QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE STATE ON A DATE DETERMINED BY THE STATE BOARD 23
OF ELECTIONS. 24

(2) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL CONS IST OF 188 25
MEMBERS. 26

(3) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, ON 27
OR BEFORE JULY 1 OF THE YEAR OF THE D ECENNIAL CENSUS, THE STATE BOARD 28
OF ELECTIONS SHALL APPORTION THE NUMBER OF SEATS FOR THE REDISTRICTING 29
CONVENTION AMONG THE COUNTIES ACCORDING TO EACH COUNTY’S POPULATION 30
COUNT IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING DECENNIAL CENSUS. 31

(II) EACH COUNTY SHALL HAVE AT LEAST THREE SEATS ON THE 32
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 33
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(4) EACH MEMBER OF TH E REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE 1
ELECTED AT LARGE BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS IN THE COUNTY THAT THE MEMBER 2
SEEKS TO REPRESENT. 3

(D) (1) TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING 4
CONVENTION, AN INDIVIDUAL MUST: 5

(I) BE A REGISTERED VOTER WHO, FOR AT LEAST 3 YEARS 6
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF ELECTION, HAS BEEN: 7

1. CONTINUOUSLY REGISTER ED IN THE STATE WITH 8
THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY; OR 9

2. CONTINUOUSLY NOT REGISTERED WITH A PRINCIPAL 10
POLITICAL PARTY; 11

(II) BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF ELECTION; 12

(III) HAVE RESIDED IN THE STATE FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR 13
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE MEMBER’S ELECTION; AND 14

(IV) HAVE RESIDED AND MAIN TAINED A PLACE OF RE SIDENCE 15
IN THE COUNTY THAT T HE INDIVIDUAL SEEKS TO REPRESENT FOR AT LEAST 6 16
MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE ELECTION. 17

(2) AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE A CA NDIDATE FOR 18
MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS: 19

(I) THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 20

(II) A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM THE 21
STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 22

(III) A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A CANDIDA TE 23
FOR THAT OFFICE; 24

(IV) AN ELECTED LOCAL GOVE RNMENT OFFICIAL OR A 25
CANDIDATE FOR AN ELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE; 26

(V) AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYE E OF A POLITICAL PAR TY OR 27
POLITICAL COMMITTEE; 28

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(VI) 1. A CONTRACTOR PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL 1
SERVICES TO: 2

A. THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 3

B. A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A 4
CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; OR 5

C. A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM 6
THE STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; OR 7

2. A CURRENT OR FORMER EM PLOYEE OF OR A 8
CONSULTANT TO AN INDIVIDUAL DESCRIBED IN ITEM 1 OF THIS ITEM; 9

(VII) AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY M EMBER OF AN INDIVIDUAL 10
DESCRIBED IN ITEM (I), (II), (III), (IV), OR (V) OF THIS PARAGRAPH; 11

(VIII) A STAFF MEMBER OF: 12

1. THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 13

2. A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A 14
CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 15

3. A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM 16
THE STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; OR 17

4. AN ELECTED LOCAL GOVE RNMENT OFFICIAL OR A 18
CANDIDATE FOR AN ELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE; OR 19

(IX) A CURRENT OR FORMER REGISTERED LOBBYIST. 20

(3) A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION MAY NOT BE 21
ELECTED OR APPOINTED AS A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS OR MEMBER OF THE 22
GENERAL ASSEMBLY DURING THE F IRST TERM OF OFFICE FOR WHICH THE 23
CONGRESSIONAL OR LEG ISLATIVE PLAN CERTIF IED BY THE REDISTRICTING 24
CONVENTION TAKES EFFECT. 25

(E) (1) [Following each ] ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 OF EACH YEAR 26
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE decennial census of the United States [and after public 27
hearings, the Governor shall prepare a plan], THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL 28
ADOPT PLANS setting forth the boundaries of the legislative districts for electing [of] the 29
HOUSE BILL 56 5

members of the Senate and the House of Delegates AND THE CONGRESSIONA L 1
DISTRICTS FOR ELECTING REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 2

[The Governor shall present the plan to the President of the Senate and Speaker of 3
the House of Delegates who shall introduce the Governor’s plan as a joint resolution to the 4
General Assembly, not later than the first day of its regular session in the second year 5
following every census, and the Governor may call a special session for the presentation of 6
the plan prior to the regular session. The plan shall conform to Sections 2, 3 and 4 of this 7
Article. Following each decennial census the General Assembly may by joint resolution 8
adopt a plan setting forth the bounda ries of the legislative districts for the election of 9
members of the Senate and the House of Delegates, which plan shall conform to Sections 10
2, 3 and 4 of this Article. If a plan has been adopted by the General Assembly by the 45th 11
day after the opening of the regular session of the General Assembly in the second year 12
following every census, the plan adopted by the General Assembly shall become law. If no 13
plan has been adopted by the General Assembly for these purposes by the 45th day after 14
the opening of t he regular session of the General Assembly in the second year following 15
every census, the Governor’s plan presented to the General Assembly shall become law.] 16

(2) ON ADOPTION OF A PLAN , THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION 17
SHALL: 18

(I) CERTIFY THAT THE PLAN IS THE PLAN ADOPTED B Y THE 19
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION; AND 20

(II) SEND THE CERTIFIED PL AN TO THE PRESIDING OFFICERS 21
OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 22

(3) (I) ON RECEIPT OF A CERTI FIED PLAN SENT UNDER 23
PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE PRESIDING OFFICERS SHALL PREPARE 24
THE PLAN FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 25

(II) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY A MAJORITY VOTE O F EACH 26
OF THE TWO HOUSES, MAY CHALLENGE THE LEGALITY OF THE CERTIFIED PLAN. 27

(III) IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTES TO CHA LLENGE THE 28
CERTIFIED PLAN, THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL: 29

1. CONSIDER THE CHALLENGE; AND 30

2. WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 31
VOTE, ISSUE A DECISION THA T AFFIRMS THE PLAN A S MEETING ALL 32
CONSTITUTIONAL AND S TATUTORY REQUIREMENT S OR REJECTS THE PLA N AS 33
FAILING TO MEET CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS. 34

6 HOUSE BILL 56

(IV) IF THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND REJECTS THE 1
PLAN, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL ADOPT AND CERTIFY A NEW PLAN 2
THAT ADDRESSES THE RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND. 3

(4) A PLAN CON SIDERED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL BE 4
TREATED IN THE SAME MANNER AS A BILL FOR PURPOSES OF PUBLICAT ION, 5
CODIFICATION, NOTIFICATION, AND DISTRIBUTION. 6

(5) A PLAN CERTIFIED BY THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL 7
BECOME LAW: 8

(I) ON THE 31ST DAY AFTER CERTIFICATION IF THE GENERAL 9
ASSEMBLY DOES NOT CHALLENGE THE PLAN; OR 10

(II) ON THE DAY THAT THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND 11
ISSUES A DECISION AF FIRMING THE PLAN IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 12
CHALLENGED THE PLAN. 13

(F) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL PETI TION THE SUPREME 14
COURT OF MARYLAND TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS OR CONGRESSIONAL 15
DISTRICTS ACCORDING TO THE STANDARDS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 3 AND 4 OF 16
THIS ARTICLE OF THIS CONSTITUTION IF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION FAILS 17
TO ADOPT AND CERTIFY A PLAN UNDER THIS SECTION. 18

(G) Upon petition of any registered voter, the Supreme Court of Maryland shall 19
have original jurisdiction to review the legislative districting OR CONGRESSIONAL 20
DISTRICTING of the State and may grant appropriate relief, if it finds that the districting 21
of the State is not consistent with requirements of either the Constitution of the United 22
States of America, or the Constitution of Maryland. 23

Article IV – Judiciary Department 24

14. 25

The Supreme Court of Maryland shall be composed of seven justices, one from the 26
First Appellate Judicial Circuit consisting of Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen 27
Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; one from the Second 28
Appellate Judicial Circuit consisting of Baltimore and Harford Counties; one from the Third 29
Appellate Judicial Circuit, consisting of Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, and 30
Washington Counties; one from the Fourth Appellate Judicial Circuit, consisting of Prince 31
George’s County; one from the Fifth Appellate Judicial Circuit, consisting of Anne Arundel, 32
Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties; one from the Sixth Appellate Judicial Circuit, 33
consisting of Baltimore City; and one from the Seventh Appellat e Judicial Circuit, 34
consisting of Montgomery County. The Justices of the Supreme Court of Maryland shall be 35
residents of their respective Appellate Judicial Circuits. The term of each Justice of the 36
HOUSE BILL 56 7

Supreme Court of Maryland shall begin on the date of the Justice’s qualification. One of 1
the Justices of the Supreme Court of Maryland shall be designated by the Governor as the 2
Chief Justice. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Maryland shall be co–extensive with 3
the limits of the State and such as now is or may hereafter be prescribed by law. 4
EXCLUSIVE AMONG THE STATE COURTS , THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND 5
SHALL HAVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION: (1) TO ESTABLISH THE LEG ISLATIVE 6
DISTRICT PLAN AND TH E CONGRESSIONAL DIST RICT PLAN IN THE EVE NT THAT A 7
PLAN IS NOT ENACTED UNDER SECTION 5 OF ARTICLE III OF THIS CONSTITUTION; 8
AND (2) TO CONSIDER A PETITION SEEKING REVIEW OF THE LEGALITY OF A PLAN TO 9
ESTABLISH LEGISLATIV E OR CONGRESSIONAL D ISTRICTS ENACTED UND ER 10
SECTION 5 OF ARTICLE III OF THIS CONSTITUTION. It shall hold its sessions in the 11
City of Annapolis at such time or times as it shall from time to time by rule prescribe. Its 12
session or sessions shall continue not less than ten months in each year, if the business 13
before it shall so require, and it shall be competent for the justices temporarily to transfer 14
their sittings elsewhere upon sufficient cause. The salary of each Justice of the Supreme 15
Court of Maryland shall be that now or hereafter prescribed by the General Assembly and 16
shall not be diminished during the Justice’s continuance in office. Five of the justices shall 17
constitute a quorum, and five justices shall sit in each case unless the Supreme Court of 18
Maryland shall direct that an additional justice or justices sit for any case. The concurrence 19
of a majority of those sitting shall be sufficient for the decision of any cause, and an equal 20
division of those sitting in a case has the effect of affirming the decision appealed from if 21
there is no application for reargument as hereinafter provided. In any case whe re there is 22
an equal division or a three to two division of the Supreme Court of Maryland a reargument 23
before the full Court of seven justices shall be granted to the losing party upon application 24
as a matter of right. 25

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTE D, That the Laws of Maryland read 26
as follows: 27

Article – Election Law 28

SUBTITLE 7A. LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND 29
APPORTIONMENT CONVENTION. 30

8–7A–01. 31

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 32
INDICATED. 33

(B) “PLAN” MEANS THE PROPOSED LEG ISLATIVE DISTRICT PL AN OR THE 34
PROPOSED CONGRESSION AL DISTRICT PLAN ADO PTED BY THE REDISTRICTING 35
CONVENTION. 36

(C) “REDISTRICTING CONVENTION” MEANS THE LEGISLATIVE AND 37
CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND APPORTIONMENT CONVENTION. 38
8 HOUSE BILL 56

8–7A–02. 1

IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT: 2

(1) NEITHER THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS NOR THE CONGRESSIONAL 3
DISTRICTS BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF FAVORING OR DISCRIMINATING 4
AGAINST AN INCUMBENT OFFICEHOLDER, A CANDIDATE FOR OFFI CE, OR A 5
POLITICAL PARTY; AND 6

(2) THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS SUBTITLE COMPLY W ITH AND 7
IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE III, §§ 2, 3, 4, AND 5 AND ARTICLE IV, § 8
14 OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION. 9

8–7A–03. 10

THERE IS A LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND 11
APPORTIONMENT CONVENTION. 12

8–7A–04. 13

(A) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1, 2031, AND MARCH 1 EACH YEAR ENDING IN 14
THE NUMERAL 1 THEREAFTER, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE 15
ELECTED BY QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE STATE ON A DATE DETER MINED BY THE 16
STATE BOARD. 17

(B) THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IS 18
DESIGNED TO PRODUCE A REDISTRICTING CONVENTION THAT IS: 19

(1) INDEPENDENT FROM LEGISLATIVE INFLUENCE; AND 20

(2) REASONABLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE’S GEOGRAPHICAL 21
MAKEUP. 22

8–7A–05. 23

(A) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION CONSISTS OF 188 MEMBERS. 24

(B) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , ON OR 25
BEFORE JULY 1, 2030, AND JULY 1 EACH YEAR ENDING IN THE NUMERAL 0 26
THEREAFTER, THE STATE BOARD SHALL APPORTION THE NUMBER OF SEATS FOR 27
THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION AMONG THE COUNTIES ACCORDING T O EACH 28
COUNTY’S POPULATION COUNT I N THE IMMEDIATELY PR ECEDING DECENNIAL 29
HOUSE BILL 56 9

CENSUS. 1

(2) EACH COUNTY SHALL HAV E AT LEAST THREE SEA TS ON THE 2
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 3

(C) EACH MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE 4
ELECTED AT LARGE BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS IN THE COUNTY THAT THE MEMBER 5
SEEKS TO REPRESENT. 6

(D) THE MEMBERS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL CONS IST 7
OF THE CANDIDATES WHO RECEIVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES CAST WITHIN 8
EACH COUNTY. 9

(E) (1) TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING 10
CONVENTION, AN INDIVIDUAL MUST: 11

(I) BE A REGISTERED VOTE R WHO , FOR AT LEAST 3 YEARS 12
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF ELECTION, HAS BEEN: 13

1. CONTINUOUSLY REGISTE RED IN THE STATE WITH 14
THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY; OR 15

2. CONTINUOUSLY NOT REGISTERED WITH A PRINCIPAL 16
POLITICAL PARTY; 17

(II) BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF ELECTION; 18

(III) HAVE RESIDED IN THE STATE FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR 19
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE ELECTION; AND 20

(IV) HAVE RESIDED AND MAINTAINED A PLACE OF RESIDENCE IN 21
THE COUNTY THAT THE INDIVIDUAL SEEKS TO REPRESENT FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS 22
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE ELECTION. 23

(2) AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE A CA NDIDATE FOR 24
MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS: 25

(I) THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 26

(II) A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM THE 27
STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 28

(III) A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A CANDIDA TE 29
10 HOUSE BILL 56

FOR THAT OFFICE; 1

(IV) AN ELECTED LOCAL GOV ERNMENT OFFICIAL OR A 2
CANDIDATE FOR AN ELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE; 3

(V) AN OFFICER OR EMPLOY EE OF A POLITICAL PA RTY OR 4
POLITICAL COMMITTEE; 5

(VI) 1. A CONTRACTOR PROVIDI NG PROFESSIONAL 6
SERVICES TO: 7

A. THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 8

B. A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A 9
CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; OR 10

C. A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM 11
THE STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; OR 12

2. A CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEE OF OR A 13
CONSULTANT TO AN INDIVIDUAL DESCRIBED IN ITEM 1 OF THIS ITEM; 14

(VII) AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER OF AN INDIVID UAL 15
DESCRIBED IN ITEM (I), (II), (III), (IV), OR (V) OF THIS PARAGRAPH; 16

(VIII) A STAFF MEMBER OF: 17

1. THE GOVERNOR OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 18

2. A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR A 19
CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; 20

3. A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS ELECTED FROM 21
THE STATE OR A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE; OR 22

4. AN ELECTED LOCAL GOV ERNMENT OFFICIAL OR A 23
CANDIDATE FOR AN ELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE; OR 24

(IX) A CURRENT OR FORMER REGISTERED LOBBYIST. 25

(3) A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION MAY NOT BE 26
ELECTED OR APPOINTED AS A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS OR MEMBER OF THE 27
GENERAL ASSEMBLY DURING THE F IRST TERM OF OFFICE FOR WHICH THE 28
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CONGRESSIONAL OR LEG ISLATIVE PLAN CERTIF IED BY THE REDISTRICTING 1
CONVENTION TAKES EFFECT. 2

(F) (1) THE TERM OF A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION 3
CONTINUES UNTIL LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL PLANS BECOME LAW. 4

(2) A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IS ELIGIBL E 5
FOR REELECTION. 6

(G) EACH MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL APPL Y 7
THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS SUBTITLE IN A MAN NER THAT IS IMPARTIA L AND THAT 8
REINFORCES PUBLIC CO NFIDENCE IN THE INTE GRITY OF THE REDISTR ICTING 9
PROCESS. 10

(H) A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION: 11

(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF T HE 12
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION; BUT 13

(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMENT FOR EXPENSE S UNDER THE 14
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET. 15

8–7A–06. 16

(A) THE 188 MEMBERS ELECTED UNDE R § 8–7A–05(D) OF THIS SUBTITLE 17
SHALL SERVE AS THE MEMBERS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION BEGINNING 18
ON THE DATE THEY ARE ELECTED UNTIL THE DATE ON WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE AND 19
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTING PLANS BECOME LAW. 20

(B) IF THERE IS A VACANCY IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE REDISTRICTING 21
CONVENTION, THE LOSING CANDIDATE FROM THE SAME COUNTY WHO RECEIVED 22
THE NEXT HIGHEST NUM BER OF VOTES SHALL F ILL THE VACANCY FOR THE 23
REMAINDER OF THE TERM. 24

(C) (1) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION MAY REMOVE A MEMBER: 25

(I) FOR NEGLECT OF DUTY; 26

(II) FOR MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE; 27

(III) FOR A DISABILITY THA T MAKES THE MEMBER U NABLE TO 28
DISCHARGE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICE; 29

12 HOUSE BILL 56

(IV) FOR FAILING TO MAINT AIN THE QUALIFICATIONS UNDER § 1
8–7A–05 OF THIS SUBTITLE; OR 2

(V) IF THE MEMBER IS CON VICTED OF OR PLEADS GUILTY OR 3
NOLO CONTENDERE WITH RESPECT TO A FELONY OR CRIME INVOLVING M ORAL 4
TURPITUDE, WHETHER OR NOT ANY APPEAL OR OTHER PROCEEDING IS PENDING TO 5
HAVE THE CONVICTION OR PLEA SET ASIDE. 6

(2) BEFORE REMOVING A MEM BER OF THE REDISTRICTING 7
CONVENTION, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL GIVE THE MEMBER: 8

(I) WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE CHARGES; AND 9

(II) AN OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER THE CHARGES. 10

(3) A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE REDISTRICTING 11
CONVENTION SHALL BE REQUIRED TO REMOVE A MEMBER OF THE REDISTRICTING 12
CONVENTION UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. 13

8–7A–07. 14

(A) A MAJORITY OF THE MEMB ERS ELECTED TO THE REDISTRICTING 15
CONVENTION IS A QUORUM. 16

(B) FROM AMONG ITS MEMBERS, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL 17
ELECT A CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR. 18

(C) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF 19
LEGISLATIVE SERVICES JOINTLY SHALL STAFF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 20

8–7A–08. 21

(A) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL: 22

(1) CONDUCT A PROCESS TH AT IS OPEN AND TRANS PARENT TO 23
ENABLE FULL PUBLIC CONSIDERATION OF AND COMMENT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT 24
OF LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS; 25

(2) ESTABLISH LEGISLATIV E DISTRICTS AND CONG RESSIONAL 26
DISTRICTS ACCORDING TO THE REDISTRICTING STANDARDS ESTABLISHED UNDER 27
ARTICLE III, §§ 3 AND 4 OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION AND FEDE RAL AND 28
STATE LAW; AND 29

HOUSE BILL 56 13

(3) CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS. 1

(B) (1) THE ACTIVITIES OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION ARE 2
SUBJECT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT. 3

(2) MEETINGS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE 4
LIVESTREAMED TO ALLO W MEMBERS OF THE PUB LIC TO OBSERVE THE 5
PROCEEDINGS OF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 6

(C) (1) THE MEMBERS OF EACH C OUNTY DELEGATION TO THE 7
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL HOLD AT LEAST ONE HEARING IN THE COUNTY 8
THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR PUBLIC INPUT AND DELIBERATION THAT IS: 9

(I) SUBJECT TO PUBLIC NOTICE; AND 10

(II) DESIGNED TO ENCOURAG E CITIZEN OUTREACH A ND TO 11
SOLICIT BROAD PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS. 12

(2) EACH HEARING HELD UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 13
SUBSECTION SHALL BE SCHEDULED BEFORE THE CONSIDERATION OF ANY PLAN BY 14
THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION. 15

8–7A–09. 16

(A) (1) IN THE YEAR FOLLOWING EACH DECENNIAL CENSU S OF THE 17
UNITED STATES, OR WHEN OTHERWISE RE QUIRED BY LAW , THE REDISTRICTING 18
CONVENTION SHALL ADOP T PLANS TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT S AND 19
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRI CTS IN CONFORMANCE W ITH THE STANDARDS AN D 20
PROCESSES ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, 21
AND FEDERAL LAW. 22

(2) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR ENDING IN THE NUMERAL 23
1, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL APPROVE TWO PLANS: 24

(I) ONE PLAN SHALL DESCR IBE THE DISTRICT BOU NDARY 25
LINES FOR THE ELECTI ON OF MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF 26
DELEGATES; AND 27

(II) ONE PLAN SHALL DE SCRIBE THE DISTRICT BOUNDARY 28
LINES FOR THE STATE’S REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 29

(B) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL ISSUE WITH EACH PLAN: 30

14 HOUSE BILL 56

(1) MAPS SHOWING THE LEG ISLATIVE DISTRICTS A ND THE 1
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS; AND 2

(2) A REPORT THAT: 3

(I) EXPLAINS THE BASIS O N WHICH THE REDISTRICTING 4
CONVENTION MADE ITS DECISIONS TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH THE CRITERIA 5
SPECIFIED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; AND 6

(II) INCLUDES DEFINITIONS OF THE TERMS AND STA NDARDS 7
USED IN DRAWING EACH PLAN. 8

(C) ON ADOPTION OF A PLAN, THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL: 9

(1) CERTIFY THAT THE PLA N IS THE PLAN ADOPTE D BY THE 10
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION; AND 11

(2) SEND THE CERTIFIED PLAN TO THE PRESIDING OFFICERS OF THE 12
GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 13

(D) (1) ON RECEIPT OF A CERTIFIED PLAN SENT UNDER SUBSECTION (C) 14
OF THIS SECTION , THE PRESIDING OFFICE RS SHALL PREPARE THE PLAN FOR 15
CONSIDERATION BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 16

(2) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF EACH OF THE 17
TWO HOUSES, MAY CHALLENGE LEGALITY OF THE CERTIFIED PLAN. 18

(3) IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTES TO CHA LLENGE THE 19
CERTIFIED PLAN, THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL: 20

(I) CONSIDER THE CHALLENGE; AND 21

(II) WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTE , 22
ISSUE A DECISION THAT AFFIRMS THE PLAN AS MEETING ALL CONSTITUTIONAL AND 23
STATUTORY REQUIREMEN TS OR REJECTS THE PL AN AS FAILING TO MEE T 24
CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS. 25

(4) IF THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND REJECTS THE PLAN, THE 26
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL CERTIFY A NEW PLAN THAT ADDRESSES THE 27
RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND. 28

(E) A PLAN CONSIDERED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL BE TREATED 29
IN THE SAME MANNER A S A BILL FOR PURPOSE S OF PUBLICATION, CODIFICATION, 30
HOUSE BILL 56 15

NOTIFICATION, AND DISTRIBUTION. 1

(F) A PLAN CERTIFIED BY TH E REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL 2
BECOME LAW: 3

(1) ON THE 31ST DAY AFTER CERTIFI CATION IF THE GENERAL 4
ASSEMBLY DOES NOT CHALLENGE THE PLAN; OR 5

(2) ON THE DAY THAT THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND ISSUES A 6
DECISION AFFIRMING T HE PLAN IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CHALLENGED T HE 7
PLAN. 8

8–7A–10. 9

(A) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL PETI TION THE SUPREME 10
COURT OF MARYLAND TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS OR CONGRESSIONAL 11
DISTRICTS IN CONFORM ANCE WITH FEDERAL AN D STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AND 12
STATUTORY STANDARDS IF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION FAILS TO ADOPT AND 13
CERTIFY A PLAN UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 14

(B) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL REPR ESENT THE STATE 15
REGARDING ANY PETITION SEEKING A REVIEW OF A CERTIFIED PLAN. 16

(C) IN ANY CASE BROUGHT IN A FEDERAL COURT TO REVIEW A PLAN, IF THE 17
REDISTRICTING CONVENTION IS NOT A P ARTY TO THE CASE , THE REDISTRICTING 18
CONVENTION SHALL MOVE TO INTERVENE IN THE CASE ON BEHALF OF THE STATE. 19

8–7A–11. 20

(A) THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL HAVE O RIGINAL 21
JURISDICTION TO ESTA BLISH LEGISLATIVE DI STRICTS AND CONG RESSIONAL 22
DISTRICTS IN CONFORM ANCE WITH FEDERAL AN D STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AND 23
STATUTORY STANDARDS IF: 24

(1) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION FAILS TO A PPROVE A PLAN 25
UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; OR 26

(2) A REGISTERED VOTER FILES A PETITION UNDER SUBSECTION (B) 27
OF THIS SECTION. 28

(B) (1) ON THE ENACTMENT OF A LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT PLAN OR A 29
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT PLAN, ANY REGISTERED VOTER IN THE STATE MAY FILE 30
A PETITION WITH THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND TO BAR THE P LAN FROM 31
16 HOUSE BILL 56

TAKING EFFECT ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE PLA N V IOLATES THE MARYLAND 1
CONSTITUTION, THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, OR A FEDERAL OR STATE 2
STATUTE. 3

(2) THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION SHALL BE THE DEFENDANT IN 4
A PETITION FILED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 5

(C) SUBJECT TO THE MARYLAND RULES, ANY REGISTERED VOTER OF THE 6
STATE MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCEEDING AS AN AMICUS CURIAE. 7

(D) (1) IF A PETITION IS FILED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, 8
THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND: 9

(I) SHALL SET DEADLINES FOR THE FILING OF PLEADINGS AND 10
AMICUS CURIAE BRIEFS; AND 11

(II) MAY APPOINT A SPECIA L MASTER TO MAKE 12
RECOMMENDATIONS. 13

(2) A SPECIAL MASTER APPOINTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 14
SUBSECTION SHALL: 15

(I) HOLD A HEARING; 16

(II) CONSIDER A PLAN APPR OVED BY THE REDISTRICTING 17
CONVENTION, IF ANY; AND 18

(III) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SUPREME COURT OF 19
MARYLAND. 20

(3) WITHIN THE TIME PERIO D ESTABLISHED BY THE SUPREME 21
COURT OF MARYLAND UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, A PARTY MAY 22
FILE EXCEPTIONS TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SPECIAL MASTER. 23

(4) BEFORE ORDERING ANY R ELIEF, THE SUPREME COURT OF 24
MARYLAND SHALL: 25

(I) HOLD A HEARING; 26

(II) CONSIDER A PLAN APPR OVED BY THE REDISTRICTING 27
CONVENTION, IF ANY; AND 28

(III) CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF A SPECIAL MASTER. 29
HOUSE BILL 56 17

(E) (1) THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND MAY ORDER AN Y RELIEF 1
CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE. 2

(2) IN ORDERING RELIEF: 3

(I) IF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION ADOPTED AN D 4
CERTIFIED A PLAN, THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND MAY APPROVE, MODIFY, 5
OR ADOPT A NEW PLAN; OR 6

(II) IF THE REDISTRICTING CONVENTION HAS NOT AD OPTED 7
AND CERTIFIED A PLAN , THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL ESTABL ISH 8
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT S AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ACCORDING TO THE 9
STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THIS SUBTITLE AND ARTICLE III, §§ 3 AND 4 OF THE 10
MARYLAND CONSTITUTION. 11

(F) THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND SHALL GIVE PRIORITY TO RULING 12
ON A PETITION FILED UNDER THIS SECTION. 13

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the General Assembly 14
determines that the amendment to the Maryland Constitution proposed by Section 1 of this 15
Act affects multiple jurisdictions and that the provisions of Article XIV, § 1 of the Maryland 16
Constitution concerning local approval of constitutional amendments do not apply. 17

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the amendment to the 18
Maryland Constitution proposed by Section 1 of this Act shall be submitted to the qualified 19
voters of the State at the next general election to be held in November 2026 for adoption or 20
rejection in accordance with Article XIV of the Maryla nd Constitution. At that general 21
election, the vote on the proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be by ballot, and on 22
each ballot there shall be printed the words “For the Constitutional Amendment” and 23
“Against the Constitutional Amendment”, as now provided by law. Immediately after the 24
election, all returns shall be made to the Governor of the vote for and against the proposed 25
amendment, as directed by Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution, and further 26
proceedings held in accordance with Article XIV. 27

SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act is 28
contingent on the passage of Section 1 of this Act, a constitutional amendment, and its 29
ratification by the voters of the State. 30

SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, subjec t to the provisions of 31
Section 5 of this Act, Section 2 of this Act shall take effect on the proclamation of the 32
Governor that the constitutional amendment, having received a majority of the votes cast 33
at the general election, has been adopted by the people of Maryland. 34