To prohibit States from carrying out more than one Congressional redistricting after a decennial census and apportionment.

Bill Number: H.R. 4889
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Government Operations and Politics
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-05-12: Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Kiley (CA). Petition No: 119-21. (<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/DischargePetition/2026051221">Discharge petition</a> text with signatures.)
Last Updated: 2026-05-13T08:06:40Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, H.R. 4889, aims to restrict states from redrawing congressional district boundaries (a process called redistricting) more than once following each decennial census (the U.S. population count every 10 years) and the resulting allocation of House seats among states (apportionment). The goal is to promote stability in congressional maps by limiting changes, except in specific legal circumstances.

Key Provisions

Constitutional Authority (Section 1): Congress asserts its power to regulate redistricting based on Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution (which allows federal oversight of federal elections) and Section 5 of the 14th Amendment (which enables enforcement of equal population rules for representation).
Redistricting Limit (Section 2): Amends existing federal law (2 U.S.C. 2c) to prohibit states from conducting a second redistricting after the initial one post-apportionment. A new redistricting can only occur after the next census-based apportionment or if ordered by a court to meet constitutional requirements (e.g., equal population) or the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (which prevents racial discrimination in voting).
Scope Limitation (Section 3): The bill does not impact how states handle redistricting or elections for their own state or local offices, such as state legislatures or city councils.
Effective Date (Section 4): Applies to any congressional redistricting occurring after the November 2024 general election.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Prior to this bill, federal law (under 2 U.S.C. 2c, originally from a 1967 act) required states to redistrict after each apportionment but did not explicitly ban additional redrawings during the decade. This amendment adds a strict "one redistricting per decade" rule, with narrow exceptions for court mandates, closing a potential loophole that allowed states to redraw maps multiple times (e.g., due to political shifts or legal challenges).

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: State election officials and legislatures would face reduced flexibility in adjusting congressional maps mid-decade, potentially simplifying planning for the Federal Election Commission and courts by limiting disputes. However, it could increase court involvement if states seek exceptions.
On Citizens: Voters may experience more stable district boundaries, reducing confusion from frequent changes and possibly limiting partisan manipulation of districts (gerrymandering). This could lead to fairer representation but might delay corrections for population shifts or voting rights issues.
On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. electoral processes.

Main Stakeholders Affected

States and Their Governments: Primary targets, as they lose authority to redraw congressional districts outside the decennial cycle, affecting governors, state legislatures, and election boards.
Members of Congress: Incumbent House representatives could benefit from map stability but face risks if initial districts disadvantage them.
Voters and Advocacy Groups: Citizens in growing or shifting populations, plus organizations focused on voting rights (e.g., those enforcing the Voting Rights Act), may see protections against arbitrary changes but could encounter barriers to mid-decade fixes.
Federal Courts: Likely to handle more cases seeking permission for exceptions, increasing their role in oversight.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal/Constitutional: The bill relies on established constitutional powers but could face challenges under the 10th Amendment (which reserves non-delegated powers to states), questioning federal overreach into state election management. It reinforces the Voting Rights Act by tying exceptions to it, potentially strengthening anti-discrimination enforcement.
Political: By curbing mid-decade redistricting, often used for partisan advantage, the bill could reduce political battles over maps and promote bipartisan stability. However, it might spark debates on federalism (balance between federal and state powers) and could be seen as limiting states' ability to respond to demographic changes, influencing future election outcomes.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

Recent Actions

2026-05-12: Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Kiley (CA). Petition No: 119-21. (<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/DischargePetition/2026051221">Discharge petition</a> text with signatures.)
2025-08-05: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2025-08-05: Introduced in House
2025-08-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

To prohibit States from carrying out more than one Congressional redistricting after a decennial census and apportionment. — issued 2025-08-05 — PDF (3 pages)