HJR 7231

1	House Joint Resolution
2	A joint resolution proposing the creation of Section 20 of
3	Article III of the State Constitution to provide standards
4	for establishing legislative and congressional district
5	boundaries.
6
7	Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
8
9	That the following creation of Section 20 of Article III of
10	the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to
11	the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next
12	general election or at an earlier special election specifically
13	authorized by law for that purpose:
14	ARTICLE III
15	LEGISLATURE
16	SECTION 20.  Standards for establishing legislative and
17	congressional district boundaries.-In establishing congressional
18	and legislative district boundaries or plans, the state shall
19	apply federal requirements and balance and implement the
20	standards in this constitution. The state shall take into
21	consideration the ability of racial and language minorities to
22	participate in the political process and elect candidates of
23	their choice, and communities of interest may be respected and
24	promoted, both without subordination to any other provision of
25	this article. Districts and plans are valid if the balancing and
26	implementation of standards is rationally related to the
27	standards contained in this constitution and is consistent with
28	federal law.
29
30	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
31	placed on the ballot:
32	CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
33	ARTICLE III, SECTION 20
34	STANDARDS FOR LEGISLATURE TO FOLLOW IN LEGISLATIVE AND
35	CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING.-In establishing congressional and
36	legislative district boundaries or plans, the state shall apply
37	federal requirements and balance and implement the standards in
38	the State Constitution. The state shall take into consideration
39	the ability of racial and language minorities to participate in
40	the political process and elect candidates of their choice, and
41	communities of interest may be respected and promoted, both
42	without subordination to any other provision of Article III of
43	the State Constitution. Districts and plans are valid if the
44	balancing and implementation of standards is rationally related
45	to the standards contained in the State Constitution and is
46	consistent with federal law.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.