Texas House Bill HJR22

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

• Filed: 8/19/25

Summary

HJR 22 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Texas Redistricting Commission, a new body that would take over the authority to draw redistricting plans for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Texas Legislature. Under the resolution, districts for those bodies could not be established or changed except through the commission process, and the Legislature would be required to enact general laws governing the commission’s composition and operation. The amendment also revises the Texas Constitution’s provisions on judicial redistricting. If the Legislature does not enact a statewide judicial reapportionment after each federal census, the Judicial Districts Board would continue to have primary responsibility, but if it fails to act by the deadline, the Texas Redistricting Commission would step in to complete the judicial reapportionment. The measure sets a delayed effective date, with the commission taking effect January 1, 2030, and the first commission convening in 2031, while also abolishing the existing Legislative Redistricting Board at that time.

Impact

If adopted, HJR 22 would significantly alter Texas constitutional law by shifting redistricting authority away from the current Legislative Redistricting Board and into a newly created Texas Redistricting Commission. It would affect the drawing of congressional, state House, and state Senate districts, and it would also change the fallback process for judicial district reapportionment. Because it is a constitutional amendment, it would require voter approval and would necessitate implementing legislation to define the commission’s structure and procedures.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text alone and the absence of committee transcripts or recorded votes, the available context suggests a procedural and institutional reform measure rather than one with documented debate in the provided materials. The resolution’s design indicates an effort to create a more formalized, independent redistricting process, which typically appeals to supporters of reform and nonpartisan map-drawing. However, no direct evidence of support, opposition, or amendments is included in the supplied record.

Contention

The main likely points of contention are the transfer of redistricting power from elected lawmakers to a new commission, the scope of that commission’s authority over both legislative and congressional districts, and the delayed transition date. Another possible issue is the bill’s effect on judicial redistricting, including the commission’s role as a backup if the Judicial Districts Board fails to act. Because no hearing transcript or vote history is provided, specific named opponents or supporters cannot be identified from the supplied materials.