New York Redistricting Reform Bill

Introduced by M. of A. GIANARIS, JOHN, ESPAILLAT, BING, GALEF, A. COHEN, STRINGER  -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BOYLAND, BRADLEY, BRENNAN, CAHILL, CHRISTENSEN, CLARK,  DINOWITZ,  GRANNIS,  MILLMAN,  O`DONNELL, PAULIN, POWELL, SCHIMMINGER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations                                            
                                                                               
AN  ACT  to  amend  the legislative law, in relation to apportionment of congressional, senate and assembly districts; and  to  repeal  section 83-m of such law relating to the legislative task force on demographic research and reapportionment                                          
                                                                               
THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:                                               
                                                                               
S  4.  The  legislative  law is amended by adding a new article 6-A to read as follows:

ARTICLE 6-A                            
APPORTIONMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL                    
AND STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS                    

 
  SECTION 93. LEGISLATIVE INTENT.

94. APPORTIONMENT NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE.                       
95. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE.                            
96. APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION.                                  
97. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION.                           
98. APPORTIONMENT.
99. APPLICATION OF ARTICLE.


S 93. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY  FINDS  AND  DECLARES THAT:                                                                   

1.  THERE  IS  A  NEED  FOR INTENSIVE AND THOROUGH STUDY, RESEARCH AND INQUIRY INTO THE TECHNIQUES AND METHODOLOGY TO BE USED BY THE BUREAU  OF THE  CENSUS OF THE UNITED STATES COMMERCE DEPARTMENT IN CARRYING OUT THE DECENNIAL FEDERAL CENSUS;                                               

2. A TECHNICAL PLAN WILL BE NEEDED  TO  MEET  THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF  A LEGISLATIVE  TIMETABLE  FOR A REAPPORTIONMENT OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS AND THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS OF THE  STATE  BASED  ON  SUCH CENSUS; AND                                                             

3. THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION IS NECESSARY TO ASSIST THE LEGISLATURE IN  THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND IN THE CONDUCT OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS RELATING THERETO.                            
 
S 94. APPORTIONMENT NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE. 1. ON OR BEFORE  THE  FIRST OF  DECEMBER  OF  EACH YEAR, THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AN APPORTIONMENT NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE TO SELECT THOSE PERSONS WHO SHALL BE  ELIGIBLE  TO BE  APPOINTED  AS  MEMBERS  OF  THE  APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION CREATED IN SECTION NINETY-SIX OF THIS ARTICLE. EACH SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL REMAIN  IN EXISTENCE UNTIL ITS DUTIES PURSUANT TO SECTION NINETY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.                                                

2.  THE APPORTIONMENT NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE SHALL BE COMPOSED OF EIGHT  MEMBERS, APPOINTED AS FOLLOWS:                                          
                                                                               
(A) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE  COURT OF APPEALS;                                                             
(B) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL;            
(C) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE STATE COMPTROLLER;           
(D) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR;                    
(E)  ONE  MEMBER  SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;                                                                 
(F) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY;     
(G) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE  APPOINTED  BY  THE  MINORITY  LEADER  OF  THE SENATE; AND                                                             
(H) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY.                                                                    

3.  THE  APPORTIONMENT NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE SHALL DESIGNATE ITS CHAIR FROM AMONG ITS MEMBERS  BY  A  SIMPLE  MAJORITY  VOTE  OF  ALL  MEMBERS, PROVIDED  THAT  IN  THE  EVENT OF A TIE VOTE, THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL DESIGNATE THE CHAIR OF SUCH COMMITTEE FROM  AMONG ITS MEMBERS.                                                            

4.  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  APPORTIONMENT NOMINATING COMMITTEE SHALL BE REGISTERED VOTERS IN THIS STATE. NO MEMBER OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL:     

(A) HOLD OR HAVE HELD WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS AN ELECTED GOVERNMENTAL OFFICE;                                                          
(B) HOLD OR HAVE HELD WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS ANY OTHER PARTISAN APPOINTED GOVERNMENTAL OR POLITICAL PARTY POSITION;                     
(C) BE EMPLOYED OR HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS IN ANY OTHER POSITION BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, THE STATE  LEGISLATURE OR THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER;                                               
(D)  BE OR HAVE BEEN WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS A REGISTERED LOBBYIST IN THIS STATE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ONE-A OF THIS CHAPTER;            
(E) BE THE SPOUSE OF ANY MEMBER OF THE  UNITED  STATES  CONGRESS,  THE STATE LEGISLATURE OR THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER; OR                          
(F)  BE RELATED WITHIN THE THIRD DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY TO ANY MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, THE STATE LEGISLATURE  OR  THE  EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, OR TO THE SPOUSE OF ANY SUCH PERSON.                           

5.  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  APPORTIONMENT  NOMINATIONS  COMMITTEE SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICES, BUT SHALL BE  ALLOWED  THEIR ACTUAL  AND  NECESSARY  EXPENSES  INCURRED  IN  THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.                                                                 

6. THE MEMBERS OF THE APPORTIONMENT  NOMINATIONS  COMMITTEE  SHALL  BE APPOINTED AND SERVE FOR THE DURATION OF SUCH COMMITTEE. ALL VACANCIES IN THE  MEMBERSHIP OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL BE FILLED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS.                                              

S 95. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE. 1. THE APPORTIONMENT NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO ANNUALLY, ON  OR  BEFORE  THE FIRST  OF MARCH, ESTABLISH A LIST OF FORTY PERSONS WHO SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO BE APPOINTED AS MEMBERS OF THE APPORTIONMENT  COMMISSION.   SUCH  LIST SHALL  HEREINAFTER  BE  REFERRED  TO IN THIS ARTICLE AS THE "NOMINATIONS POOL".                                                                  

2. THE MEMBERS OF THE APPORTIONMENT  NOMINATIONS  COMMITTEE  SHALL  BY MAJORITY VOTE SELECT EACH PERSON TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NOMINATIONS POOL. UPON  COMPLETION OF SUCH POOL, SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL SUBMIT A COPY OF THE NOMINATIONS POOL TO THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE  COURT  OF  APPEALS,  THE ATTORNEY  GENERAL,  THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER, THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE AND THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY.        
     
3. THE NOMINATIONS POOL SHALL INCLUDE:                                

(A) FIFTEEN PERSONS WHO ARE ENROLLED AS DEMOCRATS;                    
(B) FIFTEEN PERSONS WHO ARE ENROLLED AS REPUBLICANS; AND              
(C)  TEN  PERSONS WHO ARE NOT ENROLLED AS EITHER DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS.                                                                   

4. PERSONS SELECTED TO THE NOMINATIONS POOL SHALL BE REGISTERED VOTERS IN THIS STATE. NO SUCH PERSON SHALL:                                    

(A) HOLD OR HAVE HELD WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS AN ELECTED GOVERNMENTAL OFFICE;                                                          
(B) HOLD OR HAVE HELD WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS ANY OTHER PARTISAN APPOINTED GOVERNMENTAL OR POLITICAL PARTY POSITION;                     
(C) BE EMPLOYED OR HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS IN ANY OTHER POSITION BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, THE STATE  LEGISLATURE OR THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER;                                               
(D)  BE OR HAVE BEEN WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS A REGISTERED LOBBYIST IN THIS STATE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ONE-A OF THIS CHAPTER;            
(E) BE THE SPOUSE OF ANY MEMBER OF THE  UNITED  STATES  CONGRESS,  THE STATE LEGISLATURE OR THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER; OR                          
(F)  BE RELATED WITHIN THE THIRD DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY TO ANY MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, THE STATE LEGISLATURE  OR  THE  EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, OR TO THE SPOUSE OF ANY SUCH PERSON.                           

5.  (A)  THE  NOMINATIONS  POOL SHALL INCLUDE PERSONS FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING REGIONS OF THE STATE:                                         
(I) LONG ISLAND;                                                      
(II) NEW YORK CITY;                                                   
(III) HUDSON VALLEY;                                                  
(IV) NORTHERN;                                                        
(V) CENTRAL;                                                          
(VI) SOUTHERN TIER; AND                                               
(VII) WESTERN.                                                        

(B) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE FOLLOWING REGIONS  SHALL BE COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES;                                  
(I) LONG ISLAND: THE COUNTIES OF NASSAU AND SUFFOLK;                  
(II) NEW YORK CITY: THE COUNTIES OF BRONX, KINGS, NEW YORK, QUEENS AND RICHMOND;                                                               
(III)  HUDSON  VALLEY:  THE COUNTIES OF WESTCHESTER, ROCKLAND, PUTNAM, ORANGE, DUTCHESS, ULSTER, COLUMBIA, GREENE, RENSSELAER, ALBANY AND SCHENECTADY;                                                                
(IV) NORTHERN: THE COUNTIES OF SARATOGA,  WASHINGTON,  WARREN,  ESSEX, CLINTON,  FRANKLIN,  ST. LAWRENCE, HAMILTON, FULTON, HERKIMER, LEWIS AND JEFFERSON;                                                              
(V) CENTRAL: THE COUNTIES OF SCHOHARIE, MONTGOMERY, OTSEGO,  CHENANGO, MADISON, ONEIDA, OSWEGO, CORTLAND, ONONDAGA AND CAYUGA;                 
(VI) SOUTHERN TIER: THE COUNTIES OF SULLIVAN, DELAWARE, BROOME, TIOGA, TOMPKINS, SCHUYLER, STEUBEN, ALLEGANY, CATTARAUGUS AND CHAUTAUQUA; AND  
(VII)  WESTERN: THE COUNTIES OF SENECA, YATES, ONTARIO, WAYNE, MONROE, LIVINGSTON, WYOMING, GENESEE, ORLEANS, NIAGARA AND ERIE.                

6. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THE APPORTIONMENT NOMINATIONS  COMMITTEE SHALL  ENSURE  THAT  THE  NOMINATIONS POOL REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE WITH REGARD TO RACE, ETHNICITY AND GENDER.       

S 96. APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION.

1. THERE SHALL BE CREATED  AN  APPORTIONMENT  COMMISSION TO ASSIST THE LEGISLATURE IN THE REAPPORTIONMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL, SENATE AND ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS BASED ON THE ENSUING FEDERAL CENSUS, PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO OF ARTICLE ONE OF THE  UNITED  STATES CONSTITUTION  AND  SECTIONS  FOUR AND FIVE OF ARTICLE THREE OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

2. THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL BE COMPOSED OF  ELEVEN  MEMBERS, APPOINTED FROM THE NOMINATIONS POOL AS FOLLOWS:                         

(A)  TWO  MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;                                                                 
(B) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY;    
(C)  TWO  MEMBERS  SHALL  BE  APPOINTED  BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE;                                                                 
(D) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED  BY  THE  MINORITY  LEADER  OF  THE ASSEMBLY; AND                                                          
(E)  THREE  MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED, ON OR BEFORE THE THIRTIETH DAY AFTER A VACANCY IN ANY  SUCH  POSITION  OCCURS,  BY  THE  EIGHT  MEMBERS APPOINTED  PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPHS (A) THROUGH (D) OF THIS SUBDIVISION BY A VOTE OF NOT LESS THAN SIX MEMBERS IN FAVOR OF EACH  SUCH  APPOINTMENT, AND EACH VACANCY IN ANY POSITION FILLED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE DEEMED TO CREATE VACANCIES IN ALL THREE POSITIONS HELD BY THE MEMBERS SO  APPOINTED; PROVIDED THAT ANY SUCH MEMBER MAY BE REAPPOINTED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH. IN THE EVENT THAT THREE MEMBERS ARE NOT APPOINTED  ON OR  BEFORE THE THIRTIETH DAY AFTER A VACANCY IN ANY SUCH POSITION OCCURS IF:                                                                     

(I) TWO PERSONS ARE APPOINTED WITH THE REQUIRED SIX VOTES AND NO OTHER PERSON RECEIVES SIX VOTES, THE THIRD SUCH MEMBER SHALL BE  APPOINTED  BY THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS THEREAFTER;                                                                     
(II)  ONE  PERSON  IS APPOINTED WITH THE REQUIRED SIX VOTES AND NO TWO OTHER PERSONS RECEIVE SIX VOTES, THE  TWO  PERSONS  RECEIVING  THE  MOST VOTES SHALL BE APPOINTED AS MEMBERS; AND                                
(III)  NO  THREE  PERSONS RECEIVE SIX VOTES, THE TWO PERSONS RECEIVING THE MOST VOTES SHALL BE APPOINTED AS MEMBERS AND THE THIRD MEMBER  SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS.            

(F)  THE  CHAIR  SHALL  BE  DESIGNATED,  FROM  AMONG THE THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (E) OF THIS  SUBDIVISION,  BY  A  SIMPLE MAJORITY  VOTE  OF  ALL  MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION; PROVIDED THAT IF THE COMMISSION FAILS TO DESIGNATE A CHAIR, THE CHAIR SHALL BE DESIGNATED  BY THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS.                            

3. (A) NO MORE THAN FOUR MEMBERS OF THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL BE ENROLLED IN THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY.                                
(B)  TO  THE  EXTENT  PRACTICABLE,  THE  MEMBERS  OF THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE RESIDENTS  OF  THIS  STATE WITH REGARD TO RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER AND GEOGRAPHIC RESIDENCE.        

4.  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE OFFICIAL WHO APPOINTED THEM, PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION. VACANCIES IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION SHALL  BE FILLED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS.                
 
5. THE MEMBERS OF THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION AND ALL EMPLOYEES THEREOF SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYEES.                        

6.  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  APPORTIONMENT  COMMISSION  SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICES, BUT SHALL BE ALLOWED THEIR  ACTUAL  AND NECESSARY  EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.                                                        

7. A MINIMUM OF EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE  APPORTIONMENT  COMMISSION  SHALL CONSTITUTE  A QUORUM FOR THE TRANSACTION OF ANY BUSINESS OR THE EXERCISE OF ANY POWER OF SUCH COMMISSION, PROVIDED THAT NO EXERCISE OF ANY  POWER OF THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL OCCUR WITHOUT THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF SEVEN MEMBERS THEREOF.                                               

S  97.  POWERS  AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION. THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO:                                       

1. EMPLOY AND AT PLEASURE REMOVE SUCH PERSONNEL AS IT MAY DEEM  NECESSARY  FOR  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF ITS FUNCTIONS AND FIX THEIR COMPENSATION WITHIN THE AMOUNTS MADE AVAILABLE THEREFOR;                             

2.  MEET  WITHIN  AND WITHOUT THE STATE, HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS AND HAVE ALL THE POWERS OF A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER;

3. REQUEST, RECEIVE AND UTILIZE SUCH FACILITIES, RESOURCES AND DATA OF ANY DEPARTMENT, DIVISION, BOARD, BUREAU, COMMISSION  OR  AGENCY  OF  THE STATE  OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUEST TO PROPERLY CARRY OUT ITS POWERS AND DUTIES PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE;   

4. ACQUIRE AND UTILIZE ALL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH APPORTIONMENT PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTION NINETY-EIGHT OF THIS  ARTICLE;                                                                    

5.  PREPARE THE NECESSARY DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE GEOGRAPHIC UNITS OF THE STATE FOR USE BY THE FEDERAL CENSUS BUREAU IN REPORTING DECENNIAL FEDERAL CENSUS DATA;                                                         

6. ENGAGE IN SUCH RESEARCH STUDIES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES  AS  NECESSARY OR  APPROPRIATE  IN THE PREPARATION AND FORMULATION OF A REAPPORTIONMENT PLAN FOR  THE  NEXT  ENSUING  REAPPORTIONMENT  OF  SENATE  AND  ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS  AND  CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS OF THE STATE AND IN THE UTILIZATION OF CENSUS AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC AND  STATISTICAL  DATA  FOR  POLICY ANALYSIS,  PROGRAM  DEVELOPMENT  AND PROGRAM EVALUATION PURPOSES FOR THE LEGISLATURE;                                                            

7. SELL SURVEYS, DATA, COPIES OF TABULATIONS AND OTHER SPECIAL STATISTICAL COMPILATIONS AND MATERIALS  TO  DEPARTMENTS,  AGENCIES  AND  OTHER ENTITIES  OF  FEDERAL,  STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES, AND TO PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS, OR OTHER PUBLIC, NOT-FOR-PROFIT  AND PRIVATE  PERSONS  AND AGENCIES, UPON PAYMENT OF FEES AT LEAST SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE ACTUAL OR ESTIMATED COST OF SUCH PROJECTS.  IN FURTHERANCE OF SUCH SALE, THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION MAY EXECUTE CONTRACTS  FOR  SUCH PURPOSE;                                                                

8.  PREPARE  MAPS  OF  CITIES,  TOWNS  AND  COUNTIES  OF THE STATE FOR DESCRIBING CONGRESSIONAL, SENATE AND  ASSEMBLY  DISTRICTS,  AND  PREPARE APPORTIONMENT PLANS AND LEGISLATION;                                    

9.  PROMULGATE  AND MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, IN PRINT FORM AND IN ELECTRONIC FORM ON THE INTERNET, ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS  ESTABLISHING THE  PROCEDURES  AND  STANDARDS  FOR  DETERMINING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF PROPOSED DISTRICTS; AND                                                 

10. MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN PRINT FORM AND IN ELECTRONIC  FORM ON  THE  INTERNET ALL APPORTIONMENT PLANS, INFORMATION ON THE MEMBERS OF THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION  DERIVED FROM THE OPERATION OF THIS ARTICLE.                                     

S  98.  APPORTIONMENT.

1.  THE  APPORTIONMENT  COMMISSION, SHALL UPON RECEIPT OF THE FEDERAL DECENNIAL CENSUS FOR THE STATE, BEGIN  TO  ESTABLISH  A PLAN FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL, SENATE AND ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.                                                 

2. THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL PREPARE APPORTIONMENT  PLANS  IN ACCORDANCE  WITH SECTION TWO OF ARTICLE ONE OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, SECTIONS FOUR AND FIVE OF ARTICLE THREE OF THE  STATE  CONSTITUTION  AND IN A MANNER THAT ENSURES THE FAIR AND EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION OF RACIAL AND LANGUAGE MINORITY GROUPS COVERED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  VOTING RIGHTS  ACT  OF  1965. THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS SHALL:
                                                       
(A) BE OF SUBSTANTIAL EQUALITY OF POPULATION WITH OTHER CONGRESSIONAL, SENATE AND ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS, PROVIDED THAT, FOR  SENATE  AND  ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS,  NO  SUCH  DEVIATION  SHALL EXCEED ONE PERCENT OF THE AVERAGE POPULATION OF ALL SENATE OR ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS;            

(B) BE COMPOSED OF COMPACT AND  CONTIGUOUS  TERRITORY,  PROVIDED  THAT LAND AREAS SEPARATED BY A WATERWAY SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE SAME DISTRICT UNLESS SUCH WATERWAY IS TRAVERSED BY A HIGHWAY BRIDGE OR TUNNEL WHICH  BEGINS AND TERMINATES WITHIN THE SAME SUCH DISTRICT, EXCEPT THAT, POPULATION  PERMITTING, ISLANDS NOT CONNECTED TO THE MAINLAND OR ANOTHER ISLAND BY A HIGHWAY BRIDGE OR TUNNEL SHALL BE IN THE  SAME  DISTRICT  AS THE NEAREST LAND AREA WITHIN THE SAME POLITICAL SUBDIVISION;           

(C)  BE  DRAWN  SUCH  THAT  THE  NUMBER OF COUNTIES WHOSE TERRITORY IS DIVIDED AMONG MORE THAN ONE DISTRICT SHALL BE AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE  AND, WITHIN COUNTIES SO DIVIDED, THE NUMBER OF TOWNS AND CITIES DIVIDED AMONG MORE THAN ONE DISTRICT SHALL BE AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE;                  

(D)  TO  THE  EXTENT  PRACTICABLE, COINCIDE WITH CITY, TOWN AND COUNTY BOUNDARIES;                                                            

(E) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, EACH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT SHALL BE ENTIRELY WITHIN A SINGLE SENATE DISTRICT, AND TO THE  EXTENT  CONSISTENT  WITH THE  PROVISIONS  OF  PARAGRAPH  (C)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  NO ASSEMBLY DISTRICT SHALL BE WITHIN MORE THAN TWO SENATE DISTRICTS;               

(F) TO THE EXTENT CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH  (C)  OF THIS  SUBDIVISION,  NO  SENATE  DISTRICT  SHALL  INCLUDE MORE THAN THREE ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS;                                                    

(G) NOT BE DRAWN WITH AN INTENT  TO  FAVOR  OR  OPPOSE  ANY  POLITICAL PARTY, OR ANY INCUMBENT FEDERAL OR STATE LEGISLATOR;                   

(H)  TO  THE  EXTENT PRACTICABLE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERMINING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS (A) THROUGH (G) OF THIS SUBDIVISION,  BE  DRAWN TO KEEP INTACT WITHIN A SINGLE DISTRICT THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES  WITH  ESTABLISHED TIES OF COMMON INTEREST AND ASSOCIATION, WHETHER HISTORICAL, RACIAL, ECONOMIC, ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS OR OTHER; AND          
(I) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE WITHOUT  SIGNIFICANTLY  UNDERMINING  THE PROVISIONS  OF  PARAGRAPHS (A) THROUGH (G) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, BE DRAWN TO ENCOURAGE COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS, AS DEFINED IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION.                                              

3. DURING THE PREPARATION OF THE APPORTIONMENT PLAN, THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL CONDUCT NOT LESS THAN ONE PUBLIC HEARING  ON PROPOSALS FOR  THE  APPORTIONMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING (A) CITIES: ALBANY, BUFFALO, SYRACUSE,  ROCHESTER,  GLEN  COVE,  AND WHITE PLAINS; AND (B) COUNTIES: BRONX, KINGS, NEW YORK, QUEENS AND RICHMOND. PUBLIC NOTICE OF ALL SUCH HEARINGS  SHALL  BE WIDELY  PUBLISHED BY THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION IN ADVANCE THROUGH ALL AVAILABLE MEANS. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, ALL SUCH  HEARINGS  AND  THE PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  APPORTIONMENT  COMMISSION  SHALL BE TELEVISED. THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL REPORT THE FINDINGS OF ALL SUCH  HEARINGS TO THE LEGISLATURE UPON SUBMISSION OF THE APPORTIONMENT PLAN PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION.                     

4.  (A)  ON  OR BEFORE THE FIFTEENTH OF MAY IN EACH YEAR ENDING WITH A ONE OR WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF RECEIVING THE FEDERAL DECENNIAL  CENSUS  FOR THE STATE, WHICHEVER IS LATER, THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL SUBMIT TO  THE  LEGISLATURE AND DISSEMINATE TO THE PUBLIC AN APPORTIONMENT PLAN FOR ALL CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS,  ALONG  WITH  THE LEGISLATION  NECESSARY  TO  IMPLEMENT  SUCH PLAN.   UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH PLAN, THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION THEREFOR SHALL BE INTRODUCED IN  BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE WITHOUT ANY AMENDMENTS.                      

(B)  ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST OF JUNE FOLLOWING THE DISSEMINATION OF THE APPORTIONMENT PLAN TO THE PUBLIC,  THE  APPORTIONMENT  COMMISSION  SHALL CONDUCT  NOT  LESS THAN ONE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUCH APPORTIONMENT PLAN IN EACH OF THE CITIES AND COUNTIES DELINEATED IN PARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B)  OF
SUBDIVISION  THREE OF THIS SECTION, AND SHALL REPORT THE FINDINGS OF ALL SUCH HEARINGS TO THE LEGISLATURE.                                      

(C)  THE  LEGISLATION  INTRODUCED  PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE VOTED UPON, WITHOUT AMENDMENT, BY BOTH SUCH HOUSES OF  THE LEGISLATURE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION REPORTS THE FINDINGS OF ITS PUBLIC HEARING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

5. IF EITHER HOUSE SHALL FAIL TO  APPROVE  THE  LEGISLATION  SUBMITTED PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION, OR IF THE GOVERNOR SHALL VETO SUCH LEGISLATION AND THE LEGISLATURE SHALL FAIL  TO  OVERRIDE  SUCH VETO,  THE  LEGISLATURE  SHALL IMMEDIATELY TRANSMIT TO THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION A LIST OF REASONS THAT SUCH LEGISLATION DID NOT  BECOME  LAW. WITHIN  TWENTY-ONE  DAYS  OF  THE  DISAPPROVAL  OF SUCH LEGISLATION, THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE LEGISLATURE A SECOND APPORTIONMENT PLAN AND THE NECESSARY IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION FOR SUCH PLAN. UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH SECOND  PLAN,  THE  IMPLEMENTING  LEGISLATION  THEREFOR  SHALL  BE INTRODUCED IN BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE WITHOUT ANY AMENDMENTS. SUCH LEGISLATION SHALL BE  VOTED  UPON,  WITHOUT AMENDMENT,  BY  BOTH  SUCH HOUSES WITHIN TWENTY-ONE DAYS, BUT NOT SOONER THAN SEVEN DAYS, AFTER ITS INTRODUCTION.                               

6. IF EITHER HOUSE SHALL FAIL TO  APPROVE  THE  LEGISLATION  SUBMITTED PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION, OR IF THE GOVERNOR SHALL VETO SUCH LEGISLATION AND THE LEGISLATURE FAILS TO OVERRIDE  SUCH  VETO, THE  LEGISLATURE SHALL IMMEDIATELY TRANSMIT TO THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION A LIST OF THE REASONS THAT SUCH LEGISLATION  DID  NOT  BECOME  LAW. WITHIN  TWENTY-ONE  DAYS  OF  THE  DISAPPROVAL  OF SUCH LEGISLATION, THE APPORTIONMENT COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE LEGISLATURE A THIRD APPORTIONMENT PLAN AND THE NECESSARY IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION  FOR SUCH PLAN. UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH THIRD PLAN, THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION WITH ANY AMENDMENTS THE LEGISLATURE SHALL DEEM NECESSARY SHALL BE INTRODUCED  IN  BOTH  HOUSES  OF THE LEGISLATURE.   ALL SUCH AMENDMENTS SHALL COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF  THIS  SECTION.    SUCH LEGISLATION  SHALL  BE  VOTED UPON BY BOTH SUCH HOUSES WITHIN TWENTY-ONE DAYS, BUT NOT SOONER THAN SEVEN DAYS, AFTER ITS INTRODUCTION.          

7. UPON THE FAILURE OF EITHER HOUSE OF THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE SUCH LEGISLATION, OR UPON THE VETO OF SUCH LEGISLATION BY THE  GOVERNOR,  THE COURT  OF  APPEALS  SHALL  IMMEDIATELY  REVIEW ALL LEGISLATION SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO DETERMINE WHICH APPORTIONMENT PLAN SHOULD BE ENACTED INTO LAW.                                                      

S 99.  APPLICATION  OF  ARTICLE.  THE  PROCESS  FOR  APPORTIONMENT  OF CONGRESSIONAL  AND STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE THE EXCLUSIVE MEANS BY WHICH SUCH  APPORTIONMENT  SHALL  BE COMPLETED  IN  THIS STATE. EVERY APPORTIONMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL OR STATE
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS PERFORMED IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS  OF  THIS ARTICLE  SHALL  BE VOID.  IN ANY PROCEEDING RELATING TO APPORTIONMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL OR STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS, THE COURT SHALL  IMPLEMENT THE PLAN THAT BEST SERVES THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION NINETY-EIGHT OF THIS ARTICLE.                                          

S 5. This act shall take effect immediately.