TITLE: Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature, when apportioning a congressional district of which a majority of residents are included in a demographic group that is a minority in this state, from reducing the proportion of that group in the district if the legislature has apportioned the district at least once since the publication of the most recent United States decennial census.

SUMMARY: Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature, when apportioning a congressional district of which a majority of residents are included in a demographic group that is a minority in this state, from reducing the proportion of that group in the district if the legislature has apportioned the district at least once since the publication of the most recent United States decennial census.

FULL TEXT:
89(1) SJR 2-Introduced version-Bill Text 89S10672 MLH-D By: Miles S.J.R. No. 2 A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature, when apportioning a congressional district of which a majority of residents are included in a demographic group that is a minority in this state, from reducing the proportion of that group in the district if the legislature has apportioned the district at least once since the publication of the most recent United States decennial census. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Article 3, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Section 28a to read as follows: Sec. 28a. (a) This section applies only to the apportionment of a congressional district: (1) of which a majority of residents are included in a demographic group that is a minority in this state; and (2) that has been apportioned by the legislature at least once since the publication of the most recent United States decennial census. (b) Except as required by the United States Constitution, the legislature may not apportion a congressional district to which this section applies if the apportionment reduces the proportion of the demographic group described by Subsection (a)(1) of this section in the district. (c) This section may not be construed to prevent the apportionment of a congressional district to which this section applies in a manner that increases the proportion of the demographic group described by Subsection (a)(1) of this section in the district. SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held May 2, 2026. The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature, when apportioning a congressional district of which a majority of residents are included in a demographic group that is a minority in this state, from reducing the proportion of that group in the district if the legislature has apportioned the district at least once since the publication of the most recent United States decennial census."