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49 Pa.B. 593
PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 19-178
[4 PA. CODE CH. 6]
[EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2018-07]
[49 Pa.B. 593]
Whereas, the success of our democracy demands fair, equitable elections; and
Whereas, our citizens are entitled to accuracy and transparency in the election process and government that works on behalf of all Pennsylvanians; and
Whereas, the redistricting process should be clear and reasonable, and should involve public input, evaluation, and feedback; and
Whereas, residents of the Commonwealth have overwhelmingly expressed their desire for an independent, non-partisan redistricting commission to oversee the legislative redistricting process; and
Whereas, the Commonwealth's past processes may have led to underrepresentation of minority groups and did not allow citizens an opportunity to provide input regarding the districts drawn by the Legislature; and
Whereas, election districts should be drawn making every effort to keep towns, communities, municipalities and counties intact to ensure our elected officials reflect and represent the community they serve; and
Whereas, in other parts of the country, independent commissions have been effective at reducing harmful partisan politics in redistricting; and
Whereas, independent commissions have also been successful in creating districts that are compact, contiguous, and keep communities together; and
Whereas, the creation of a Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission would engage citizens, subject matter experts, and other interest groups in examining the Commonwealth's redistricting process and making recommendations on ways to drive positive change in our system.
Now, Therefore, I, Tom Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws of the Commonwealth do hereby establish the Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission and order and direct as follows:
Fiscal Note: GOV-2018-07. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Subchapter III. PENNSYLVANIA REDISTRICTING
6.731. Purpose.
6.732. Powers and duties.
6.733. Composition.
6.734. Procedures.
6.735. Report.
6.736. Compensation.
6.737. Staff.
6.738. Effective date.
6.739. Termination date.
§ 6.731. Purpose.
The purpose of the Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission is to study best practices related to nonpartisan redistricting process, engage the public in a dialogue around principles for a nonpartisan redistricting process, and make recommendations to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Majority Leader of the Senate, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader of the Senate, and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives to inform the redistricting process.
§ 6.732. Powers and duties.
The Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission (Commission) shall:
(a) Evaluate and analyze recommendations to improve the integrity and fairness of the Commonwealth's congressional and legislative redistricting process.
(b) Review policies and practices implemented in other states that have reduced gerrymandering in the redistricting process.
(c) Create opportunities for citizens to engage in the Commission's work through public meetings and an online web submission form.
(d) Develop recommendations and criteria to minimize the partisan political influence on congressional and legislative redistricting processes.
(e) Provide nonpartisan redistricting recommendations and best practices for the Governor to utilize during the redistricting process.
(f) Provide nonpartisan redistricting recommendations and best practices for the Legislature to utilize during the redistricting process.
(g) Undertake any additional work related to redistricting as requested by the Governor.
§ 6.733. Composition.
(a) The Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission (Commission) consists of the following voting members:
(1) Two members of the Pennsylvania Senate, one appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
(2) Two members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, one appointed by the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
(3) The Secretary of the Commonwealth or a designee;
(4) Two individuals from institutions of higher education;
(5) One individual from a nonpartisan voter advocacy organization;
(6) One individual from a nonpartisan government reform organization;
(7) One former elected official who does not currently hold elected office; and
(8) Up to five citizen appointees.
(b) The voting members identified in paragraph (a)(3)—(8) shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Should a vacancy occur among the Governor's appointees on the Commission, the Governor will appoint a successor.
(c) The Governor will designate a chairperson or chairpersons who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
(d) The Commission's membership shall reflect the diversity of the Commonwealth.
§ 6.734. Procedures.
(a) The Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission (Commission) may establish committees, rules, and procedures needed to effectively implement its powers and duties included in this subchapter. Subcommittees may include advisory nonmembers, if approved by the Commission's chairperson. All committees shall be chaired by a member of the Commission.
(b) A majority of members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
(c) The Commission shall hold at least six publicly announced meetings throughout the Commonwealth before its report is due.
§ 6.735. Report.
The Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission shall provide a written report to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Majority Leader of the Senate, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader of the Senate, and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, that includes its findings from the activities undertaken in § 6.732 (relating to powers and duties) within 9 months of the effective date of this subchapter.
§ 6.736. Compensation.
Members of the Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission (Commission) shall not receive compensation for their service on the Commission, except that members shall receive reimbursement for reasonable travel costs and expenditures incurred while performing Commission business in accordance with the Commonwealth's travel and subsistence policies. See Chapter 40 (relating to travel and subsistence).
§ 6.737. Staff.
(a) The Department of State shall provide staffing to assist the Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission (Commission) in carrying out the Commission's responsibilities and duties.
(b) All Commonwealth agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction shall provide assistance and support as needed by the Commission to effectively carry out its purpose, powers, and duties set forth in this subchapter, so far as is compatible with the authority and ability of each Commonwealth agency.
§ 6.738. Effective date.
This subchapter shall be effective immediately.
§ 6.739. Termination date.
This subchapter shall remain in effect unless amended or rescinded by the Governor.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 19-178. Filed for public inspection February 8, 2019, 9:00 a.m.]