Date: 04/22/2010
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB10-1408
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS
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11:34 AM -- House Bill 10-1408
Representative Weissmann, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 10-1408, concerning the repeal of statutory directions concerning Congressional districts. Representative Weissmann provided background on recent jurisprudence associated with redistricting, and explained how House Bill 10-1408 associates with other redistricting-related legislation heard by the committee during the current legislative session. Representative Weissmann then explained the factors that could be considered by courts during Congressional redistricting under the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the process that took place during the last round of redistricting, and the value of the district competitiveness criterion. Representative Weissmann discussed his preference for the Iowa model for Congressional redistricting, and the priority of redistricting criteria under current law. Representative Weissmann responded to questions regarding the value of providing guidelines to the court system in considering redistricting proposals.
11:45 AM
Discussion continued regarding the need to provide statutory guidelines to the courts when considering Congressional redistricting. Discussion ensued regarding the composition of the Redistricting Commission. Committee members received a list of the appointments to the Redistricting Commission (Attachment A). Representative Weissmann discussed the political leanings of the Congressional districts in Colorado. Discussion returned to the composition of the Reapportionment Commission, and how the members are appointed. Discussion next returned to the importance of competitiveness in Congressional districts. Discussion followed regarding the factors that are required to be considered in redistricting in the absence of a statutory list of criteria to be considered by courts, and the impact of ordering a statutory list. Committee members received a section of Title 42 of the United States Code (Attachment B).
11:57 AM
The following persons testified regarding House Bill 10-1408:
11:57 AM -- Ms. Christine Watson, representing the League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Watson outlined the league's position on the current statutory criteria that must be considered during judicial determinations of Congressional districts. Ms. Watson then discussed the changes in political mood that have occurred in her neighborhood during her lifetime. Ms. Watson characterized the league's position on the bill as "cautiously opposed." Discussion ensued regarding the potential for running legislation to reorder the current list of criteria. Discussion followed regarding the political considerations involved in creating the current statutory list of criteria.
12:07 PM
Ms. Watson responded to questions regarding the league's position on reordering the criteria list, and clarified the league's position on such list in general.
12:11 PM -- Mr. Wayne Williams, representing El Paso County, testified in opposition to House Bill 10-1408. Mr. Williams discussed the Congressional redistricting criteria that are stricken by the bill which the county favors, and the role of the state legislature in redistricting. Mr. Williams suggested eliminating certain criteria from the criteria list, but not others, and making the list order-neutral. Mr. Williams then provided background on certain sections of Article V of the Colorado Constitution. Mr. Williams next discussed the political and economic dynamics of El Paso County.
12:23 PM
Mr. Williams responded to questions regarding the interplay between the Colorado Constitution and state statute as they pertain to the criteria list. Discussion ensued regarding the importance of not splitting counties and communities of interest during redistricting.
12:27 PM
The committee adjourned.