BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 1331 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 8, 2012 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair SB 1331 (Kehoe) - As Introduced: February 23, 2012 Policy Committee: ElectionsVote:5-1 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill establishes a five-member redistricting commission in San Diego County for the purpose of establishing the boundaries of the county's supervisorial districts following each decennial census. The bill establishes the eligibility requirements for commission members, including that they be former or retired state or federal judges, and specifies that members shall be selected among the eligibility pool via a random drawing. FISCAL EFFECT Any costs to the county will not be state-reimbursable, because the county has requested and is sponsoring this legislation. COMMENTS Purpose . Charter cities are authorized to establish redistricting commissions, because the state Constitution gives charter cities broad authority over the conduct of city elections and the election and terms of municipal officers. The City of San Diego is one of several California cities that have established redistricting commissions. Charter counties, on the other hand, are not granted the same level of authority over the conduct of county elections, and in fact, the state Constitution provides that charter counties are unable to provide for the creation of a redistricting commission through an amendment to the county charter unless statutory authority is provided to allow a county to have such a commission. SB 1331 is sponsored by San Diego County to transfer responsibility for redistricting from the board of supervisors to an independent commission. Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081 SB 1331 Page 2