The Senate Redistricting Committee met on October 15th to discuss HB 1 (Hunter) relating to the composition of districts for the election of members of the Texas House of Representatives. HB 1 was voted out of committee (8-6) with no amendments.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.
Opening Comments
- Chair Huffman – Intention to vote on HB 1
- Lucio – Would like to speak against the bill before the vote
HB 1 (Hunter) (Plan H2316) Relating to the composition of districts for the election of members of the Texas House of Representatives.
- Huffman – Lays out the bill; believes it appropriate to defer to House plan and pass it through
- Lucio – Speaks against the bill, disappointed with an amendment that disrupted Cameron County within his district
- Amendment didn’t go through public; vote was 72-70, pits two representatives against each other
- Districts drawn in such a way that major cities, Brownsville, San Benito, and Harlingen, are split up
- Amendment in House was offered by Lozano who lives over 120 miles away; went against representatives in district with this amendment
- Lozano didn’t consult with Rio Grande Valley delegation, filed amendment 10 minutes before deadline so no input from stakeholders was allowed
Public Testimony
Susana Carranza, Self – Against
- Maps do not reflect growth of minority population in TX; maps increase number of white districts, diluting voice of racial minorities and breaking up communities of interest
- Still time to change the maps
HB 1 voted out of committee (8-6)