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Bill

Bill

SJR 728

State Reapportionment

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shev Jones

Proposes a constitutional framework for state reapportionment, possibly creating an independent/bipartisan commission, setting districting standards, timelines, and transparency.

Introduced
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Bill Summary · SJR 728

Summary of Bill: SJR 728 — State Reapportionment

Overview

  • Bill Number: SJR 728
  • Title: State Reapportionment
  • Classification: Joint Resolution (often used to propose constitutional amendments or alterations)
  • Subject: Reapportionment / concurrent subject index (theme of altering how districts are drawn or allocated)

Status and Timeline

  • Filed: December 3, 2025
  • Current Status: Referred to three committees — Ethics and Elections; Judiciary; Rules (as of December 16, 2025)
  • Next Steps: Typically, a joint resolution would move through committee hearings and votes in both chambers. If advanced and approved by the legislature, many state constitutions require public voter consideration and approval for constitutional amendments. Exact pathways depend on the state’s constitutional and legislative rules.

Purpose and Intent

  • Based on the title, SJR 728 seeks to address “State Reapportionment.” While the text of the bill’s provisions is not provided here, the bill likely seeks to:
    • Propose a constitutional framework or modification governing how legislative or other political district boundaries are drawn.
    • Establish or modify criteria, processes, or timelines for reapportionment, potentially including commissions, timelines for redistricting, or standards to ensure fairness, compliance with voting rights laws, and transparency.
    • Align reapportionment with concurrent subject rules, which could influence how and when districts are redrawn in response to population changes.

Key Provisions (Highlights Based on Title; specifics may vary in the bill text)

  • Proposes a change to the state’s reapportionment process through a joint resolution.
  • Could involve creation or revision of a reapportionment body (e.g., an independent or bipartisan commission), standards for district boundaries, and procedures for public input.
  • May set timelines or triggers tied to population data (e.g., post-census redistricting cycles).
  • Might address procedural requirements (notice, hearings, transparency) and legal compliance (compatibility with federal Voting Rights Act requirements).

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Legislature: May change how legislative districts are drawn and approved.
  • Electoral District Boundaries: Potential redefinition of state legislative or other political districts.
  • Citizens and Interest Groups: Affects public participation, transparency, and perceived fairness of redistricting.
  • Judicial and Ethical Oversight Bodies: Referred to Judiciary and Ethics and Elections committees—indicating potential legal and ethical considerations in reapportionment processes.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • As a joint resolution, passage typically requires approval by both legislative chambers and, in many states, voter ratification to become a constitutional amendment.
  • The bill has been referred to Ethics and Elections; Judiciary; Rules, signaling consideration of legal, ethical, and procedural aspects.
  • Filing date: December 3, 2025; committee referral date: December 16, 2025.

Notes

  • The exact substantive provisions are not provided in the information available here. For a precise understanding, the full text of SJR 728 and any legislative analyses or fiscal notes would be needed.

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

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