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SJR 6

Memorials, Recognition - October 7th Coalition and Patricia Heaton -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Creates an Independent Redistricting Commission to draw Nevada legislative and U.S. House districts starting after the 2030 census.

Signed by Governor.
#memorials #recognition
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Bill Summary · SJR 6

Summary — SJR 6 (BDR C-748)

Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to create an Independent Redistricting Commission to draw state legislative and U.S. House districts.

Main purpose

Shift responsibility for drawing Nevada’s legislative and U.S. House district boundaries from the Legislature to an Independent Redistricting Commission, with the goal of increasing transparency and reducing direct legislative control over apportionment after each decennial U.S. census.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new constitutional section (Article 4, Sec. 5A–5B) establishing the Independent Redistricting Commission within the Legislative Department.
  • Duty and timing:
    • Commission must draw districts beginning in 2031 and after each subsequent decennial census for:
    • Nevada Senate
    • Nevada Assembly
    • U.S. House of Representatives seats from Nevada
  • Composition and appointment:
    • Seven commissioners total, all registered and eligible Nevada voters.
    • Four commissioners appointed by legislative leaders: Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the Assembly, Assembly Minority Leader (one each).
    • The four appointees jointly select three additional commissioners.
    • The three additional commissioners must not have been registered or affiliated with the largest or second-largest political party for at least four years prior to appointment; no two commissioners may be affiliated with the same party if they are registered.
  • Eligibility and disqualifications (during the 4 years before appointment and while serving, a person may not be):
    • A registered lobbyist;
    • A candidate for (or holder of) federal, state, or partisan local office;
    • An officer/member of a party governing body;
    • A paid consultant/employee of elected officials, candidates, PACs, party-sponsored committees, etc.;
    • A state employee (except judicial branch, U.S. Armed Forces members, or state higher-education employees);
    • Related within the third degree to any person disqualified above.
  • Terms: Commissioners serve for the duration of the census cycle and until all obligations (including judicial review of plans) are complete.
  • Transparency and operations:
    • All Commission meetings must be open to the public; materials are public records.
    • Commission adopts its own rules; its powers are described as legislative functions exclusive to the Commission (not subject to legislative approval or control).
  • Redistricting criteria (listed in required order of priority):
    1. Comply with U.S. Constitution and federal law
    2. Equal population (approximate)
    3. Geographic contiguity
    4. Do not dilute racial/language minority opportunity (i.e., comply with Voting Rights)
    5. Do not unduly advantage or disadvantage a political party (on a statewide basis)
    6. Respect county, city, and township boundaries where practicable
    7. Avoid dividing “communities of interest” where practicable (definition provided in text)

Who is affected

  • Nevada voters (district boundaries that determine legislative and federal House representation)
  • State Legislature (removes Legislature’s constitutional duty to enact apportionment)
  • Legislative leaders (retain role appointing four of seven commissioners)
  • Political parties and candidates (new constraints intended to limit partisan gerrymandering)
  • Minority-language communities (protected under explicit non-dilution criteria)

Procedural and timeline notes

  • As a constitutional amendment, the resolution must be:
    1. Passed by the 2025 Legislature,
    2. Passed again by the next Legislature (per Nevada constitutional amendment process), and
    3. Approved by Nevada voters in a subsequent election before becoming effective.
  • The text specifies the Commission’s first required apportionment will take effect for the 2031 redistricting cycle (i.e., after the 2030 census).
  • Fiscal committee notation: “NO” (no fiscal committee recommendation); the resolution indicates there is a state effect but no local government effect noted in the explanatory materials.

Potential impact (practical effects)

  • Transfers redistricting authority away from the legislative body to a hybrid-appointed commission intended to be more independent.
  • Introduces explicit anti-partisan-gerrymandering and minority-protection criteria with prioritized ordering.
  • May reduce perceived conflicts of interest in map drawing, but retains significant appointment influence by legislative leaders (four of seven appointees).
  • Will apply starting with maps drawn after the 2030 census if the full amendment process is completed and voters approve it.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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