SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 69

(By Senators Unger and Foster)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the creation of an independent commission on redistricting.

    Whereas, The State of West Virginia realigns its congressional and state legislative districts after each decennial census; and

    Whereas, Redistricting is an inherently political process; and

    Whereas, The welfare of the citizens of the State and their local communities of interest must be placed ahead of any political party or individual; and

    Whereas, An independent commission is a more equitable body to invest the responsibility of redistricting; and

    Whereas, Several states have already given independent commissions the primary responsibility of drawing reasonable and impartial congressional and legislative boundaries in an effort to have on open, democratic and transparent process, encourage citizen participation and avoid partisan gerrymandering; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the creation of an independent commission on redistricting; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2013, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.