SB58,10,18 154.007 Redistricting standards. (1) Legislative and congressional districts
16shall be established on the basis of population requirements imposed under the
17Wisconsin Constitution and the U.S. Constitution and requirements imposed under
18Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
SB58,11,6 19(2) Senate and assembly districts, respectively, shall satisfy the population
20standards established in this subsection. The quotient, obtained by dividing the sum
21of the absolute values of the deviations of all district populations from the applicable
22ideal district population by the number of districts established, may not exceed 1
23percent of the applicable ideal district population, unless necessary to maintain
24compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. For purposes of this subsection,
25the ideal district population is determined by dividing the number of districts to be

1established into the population of the state reported in the most recent federal
2decennial census. No senate district may have a population which exceeds that of
3any other senate district by more than 10 percent and no assembly district may have
4a population which exceeds that of any other assembly district by more than 10
5percent, unless necessary to maintain compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights
6Act.
SB58,11,12 7(3) Congressional districts shall each have a population as nearly equal as
8practicable to the ideal district population, derived as prescribed in sub. (2), while
9maintaining compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. No congressional
10district may have a population which varies by more than 1 percent from the
11applicable ideal district population, unless necessary to comply with Section 2 of the
12Voting Rights Act.
SB58,11,20 13(4) District boundaries shall coincide with ward boundaries and, to the extent
14consistent with sub. (1), shall coincide with the boundaries of political subdivisions.
15The number of political subdivisions divided among more than one district shall be
16as small as possible. When there is a choice among political subdivisions to divide,
17the more populous political subdivisions shall be divided before the less populous,
18except that this requirement does not apply to a legislative district boundary drawn
19along a county boundary which passes through a city with territory in more than one
20county.
SB58,11,22 21(5) Districts shall be composed of convenient contiguous territory. Areas which
22meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous.
SB58,11,23 23(6) (a) In this subsection:
SB58,12,724 1. "Geographic unit center" means that point within a population data unit
25approximately equidistant from the northern and southern extremities and also

1approximately equidistant from the eastern and western extremities of the
2population data unit. This point shall be determined by visual observation of a map
3of the population data unit, unless it is otherwise determined within the context of
4an appropriate coordinate system developed by the federal government or another
5source that the legislative reference bureau determines is qualified and objective and
6is obtained for use in this state with prior approval of the joint committee on
7legislative organization.
SB58,12,118 2. "Population data unit" means a ward, census enumeration district, block, or
9other unit of territory having clearly identified geographic boundaries and for which
10a total population figure is included in or can be derived directly from certified
11federal census data.
SB58,12,1712 3. "X-coordinate" means the relative location of a point along the east–west
13axis of the state. Unless otherwise measured within the context of an appropriate
14coordinate system obtained for use as permitted by subd. 1., the x-coordinate shall
15be measured along a line drawn due east from a due north and south line running
16through the point which is the western extremity of this state, to the point to be
17located.
SB58,12,2318 4. "Y-coordinate" means the relative location of a point along the north–south
19axis of the state. Unless otherwise measured within the context of an appropriate
20coordinate system obtained for use as permitted by subd. 1., the y-coordinate shall
21be measured along a line drawn due south from a due east and west line running
22through the point which is the northern extremity of this state, to the point to be
23located.
SB58,13,524 (b) To the extent consistent with subs. (1) to (3), districts shall be compact in
25form. Compact districts are those which are square, rectangular, or hexagonal in

1shape to the extent permitted by natural or political boundaries. When it is
2necessary to compare the relative compactness of 2 or more districts, or of 2 or more
3alternative redistricting plans, the tests prescribed by pars. (c) and (d) shall be used.
4Should the results of these 2 tests be contradictory, the standard under par. (c) shall
5be given greater weight than the standard under par. (d).
SB58,13,86 (c) 1. The compactness of a district is greatest when the length of the district
7and the width of the district are equal. The measure of a district's compactness is
8the absolute value of the difference between the length and the width of the district.
SB58,13,139 2. In measuring the compactness of a district by means of electronic data
10processing, the difference between the x-coordinates of the easternmost and the
11westernmost geographic unit centers included in the district shall be compared to the
12difference between the y-coordinates of the northernmost and southernmost
13geographic unit centers included in the district.
SB58,14,214 3. To determine the length and width of a district by manual measurement, the
15distance from the northernmost point or portion of the boundary of a district to the
16southernmost point or portion of the boundary of the same district and the distance
17from the westernmost point or portion of the boundary of the district to the
18easternmost point or portion of the boundary of the same district shall each be
19measured. If the northernmost or southernmost portion of the boundary, or each of
20these points, is a part of the boundary running due east and west, the line used to
21make the measurement required by this subdivision shall be drawn either due north
22and south or as nearly so as the configuration of the district permits. If the
23easternmost or westernmost portion of the boundary, or each of these points, is a part
24of the boundary running due north and south, a similar procedure shall be followed.
25The lines to be measured for the purpose of this subdivision shall each be drawn as

1required by this subdivision, even if some part of either or both lines lies outside the
2boundaries of the district which is being tested for compactness.
SB58,14,83 4. The absolute values computed for individual districts under this paragraph
4may be cumulated for all districts in a plan in order to compare the overall
5compactness of 2 or more alternative redistricting plans for the state or for a portion
6of the state. However, it is not valid to cumulate or compare absolute values
7computed using the measurements under subd. 2. with those computed using the
8measurements under subd. 3.
SB58,14,119 (d) 1. The compactness of a district is greatest when the ratio of the dispersion
10of population about the population center of the district to the dispersion of
11population about the geographic center of the district is one to one.
SB58,14,2212 2. The population dispersion about the population center of a district or about
13the geographic center of a district is computed as the sum of the products of the
14population of each population data unit included in the district multiplied by the
15square of the distance from the geographic unit center of that population data unit
16to the population center or the geographic center of the district, as the case may be.
17The geographic center of the district is defined by averaging the locations of all
18geographic unit centers which are included in the district. The population center of
19the district is defined by computing the population–weighted average of the
20x-coordinates and y-coordinates of each geographic unit center assigned to the
21district, it being assumed for the purpose of this calculation that each population
22data unit possesses uniform density of population.
SB58,14,2523 3. The ratios computed for individual districts under this paragraph may be
24averaged for all districts in a plan in order to compare the overall compactness of 2
25or more alternative redistricting plans for the state or for a portion of the state.
SB58,15,6
1(7) In preparing any redistricting plan, the legislative reference bureau shall
2be strictly nonpartisan. No district may be drawn for the purpose of favoring a
3political party, incumbent legislator or member of Congress, or other person or group
4or, except to the extent required under sub. (1), for the purpose of augmenting or
5diluting the voting strength of a language or racial minority group. In establishing
6districts, no use shall be made of any of the following data:
SB58,15,77 (a) The residence addresses of incumbent legislators or members of Congress.
SB58,15,88 (b) Political affiliations of registered voters.
SB58,15,99 (c) Previous election results.
SB58,15,1110 (d) Demographic information except as necessary to meet the requirements of
11sub. (1).
SB58,15,20 12(8) The number of assembly districts in any redistricting plan may not be less
13than 54 nor more than 100. The number of senate districts in any redistricting plan
14may not be more than one-third nor less than one-fourth of the number of assembly
15districts. Each senate district shall contain only whole assembly districts. Except
16as otherwise provided in this subsection, to the extent possible, each congressional
17district shall contain only whole senate districts. The other standards specified in
18this section shall take precedence where a conflict arises between those standards
19and the requirement of including only whole senate districts within a congressional
20district.
SB58,15,22 214.008 Required provisions in redistricting bills. Each bill delivered under
22s. 4.006 shall provide all of the following:
SB58,15,24 23(1) That, wherever territory is described in the bill by geographic boundaries,
24the following conventions are used:
SB58,16,2
1(a) Each bound continues to the intersection with the bound next named, or to
2the intersection with a straight-line extension of such bound.
SB58,16,43 (b) If the bound is a street, it follows the center line of the street or the center
4line of the street extended.
SB58,16,65 (c) If the bound is a railroad right-of-way, it follows the center line of the
6railroad right-of-way.
SB58,16,87 (d) If the bound is a river or stream, it follows the center of the main channel
8of such river or stream.
SB58,16,99 (e) If the bound follows a municipal boundary, it coincides with such boundary.
SB58,16,13 10(2) That the bill first applies, with respect to regular elections, to offices filled
11at the next occurring general election after the bill takes effect and, with respect to
12special or recall elections, to offices filled or contested on or after the date of that
13general election.
SB58,16,24 144.0085 Challenge based on population inequality; burden of proof. If
15an action is brought challenging a legislative redistricting plan under this
16subchapter on the basis of an excessive population variance among senate or
17assembly districts established in the plan, the legislature has the burden of
18justifying any variance in excess of 10 percent between the population of a senate or
19assembly district and the applicable ideal district population. If an action is brought
20challenging a congressional redistricting plan under this subchapter on the basis of
21an excessive population variance among congressional districts established in the
22plan, the legislature has the burden of justifying any variance in excess of 1 percent
23between the population of a congressional district and the applicable ideal district
24population.
SB58,5 25Section 5. 5.15 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB58,17,19
15.15 (4) (a) Except as provided in par. (c), the division ordinance or resolution
2shall number all wards in the municipality with unique whole numbers in
3consecutive order, beginning with the number one, shall designate the polling place
4for each ward, and shall describe the boundaries of each ward consistent with the
5conventions set forth in s. 4.003 4.008 (1). The ordinance or resolution shall be
6accompanied by a list of the block numbers used by the U.S. bureau of the census that
7are wholly or partly contained within each ward, with any block numbers partly
8contained within a ward identified, and a map of the municipality which illustrates
9the revised ward boundaries. If the legislature, in an act redistricting legislative
10districts under article IV, section 3, of the constitution, or in redistricting
11congressional districts, establishes a district boundary within a municipality that
12does not coincide with the boundary of a ward established under the ordinance or
13resolution of the municipality, the municipal governing body shall, no later than
14April 10 of the 2nd year following the year of the federal decennial census on which
15the act is based, amend the ordinance or resolution to the extent required to effect
16the act. The amended ordinance or resolution shall designate the polling place for
17any ward that is created to effect the legislative act. Nothing in this paragraph shall
18be construed to compel a county or city to alter or redraw supervisory or aldermanic
19districts.
SB58,6 20Section 6. 13.49 of the statutes is created to read:
SB58,17,21 2113.49 Redistricting advisory commission. (1) Definitions. In this section:
SB58,17,2322 (a) "Chief election officer" means the chief election officer of the government
23accountability board.
SB58,17,2424 (b) "Four selecting authorities" means all of the following:
SB58,17,2525 1. The majority leader of the senate.
SB58,18,1
12. The minority leader of the senate.
SB58,18,22 3. The speaker of the assembly.
SB58,18,33 4. The minority leader of the assembly.
SB58,18,44 (c) "Partisan public office" means any of the following:
SB58,18,65 1. The office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer,
6attorney general, state senator, or state representative to the assembly.
SB58,18,87 2. A county office which is filled by an election process involving nomination
8and election of candidates on a partisan basis.
SB58,18,109 (d) "Political party office" means an elective office in a political party, as defined
10in s. 5.02 (13), or in a national political party.
SB58,18,1611 (e) "Relative" means an individual who is related to the person in question as
12father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece,
13husband, wife, grandfather, grandmother, father-in-law, mother-in-law,
14son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather,
15stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half
16sister.
SB58,18,25 17(2) General provisions. (a) Not later than February 15 of the first year
18following the decennial federal census, a temporary redistricting advisory
19commission is created consisting of 5 members. Each of the 4 selecting authorities
20shall certify to the chief election officer the selecting authority's appointment of a
21person to serve on the commission. Within 30 days after the last selecting authority
22has certified his or her appointment, but not later than February 15 of the first year
23following the decennial federal census, the 4 commission members so appointed shall
24select, by a vote of at least 3 members, and certify to the chief election officer the 5th
25commission member, who shall serve as chairperson.
SB58,19,2
1(b) No individual may be appointed to the redistricting advisory commission
2who satisfies any of the following:
SB58,19,43 1. The individual is not an eligible elector of this state at the time of the
4appointment.
SB58,19,55 2. The individual holds partisan public office or political party office.
SB58,19,76 3. The individual is a relative of or is employed by a member of the legislature
7or of Congress, or is employed directly by the legislature or Congress.
SB58,19,148 (c) Members of the redistricting advisory commission appointed by a selecting
9authority shall be reimbursed from the appropriation account under s. 20.765 (1) (a)
10or (b), depending upon the house in which that member's appointing authority holds
11office, for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performance of duties as a
12commission member. The member who is not appointed by a selecting authority
13shall be reimbursed from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) for actual and
14necessary expenses incurred in performance of duties as a commission member.
SB58,19,1615 (d) A vacancy on the redistricting advisory commission shall be filled as
16provided in s. 17.20 (1) within 15 days after the vacancy occurs.
SB58,19,1817 (e) Each redistricting advisory commission terminates upon complying with
18sub. (3).
SB58,19,19 19(3) Duties. The redistricting advisory commission shall do all of the following:
SB58,19,2320 (a) If requested to do so by the legislative reference bureau, provide direction
21to the legislative reference bureau concerning any decision the legislative reference
22bureau must make in preparing a redistricting plan under subch. I of ch. 4 for which
23no clearly applicable guideline is provided under s. 4.007.
SB58,20,3
1(b) Upon delivery by the legislative reference bureau of a bill embodying a
2redistricting plan as required under s. 4.006, make available to the public at the
3earliest feasible time all of the following information:
SB58,20,44 1. Copies of the bill.
SB58,20,55 2. Maps illustrating the plan.
SB58,20,76 3. A summary of the standards prescribed under s. 4.007 for development of the
7plan.
SB58,20,98 4. A statement of the population of each district included in the plan, and the
9relative deviation of each district population from the ideal district population.
SB58,20,1110 (c) Upon delivery by the legislative reference bureau of an initial bill embodying
11a redistricting plan as required under s. 4.006 (1), do all of the following:
SB58,20,1512 1. As expeditiously as reasonably possible, schedule and conduct at least 3
13public hearings, in different geographic regions of the state, on the plan embodied
14in the bill. No more than one public hearing may be held in the city of Madison and
15at least one public hearing shall be held in the northern half of the state.
SB58,20,2216 2. Following the hearings held under subd. 1., promptly prepare and submit
17to the legislature in the manner provided under s. 13.172 (2) a report summarizing
18information and testimony received by the commission in the course of the hearings.
19The report may include any comments and conclusions which the commission's
20members deem appropriate concerning the information and testimony received at
21the hearings or otherwise presented to the commission. The report shall be treated
22in the same manner as a report submitted under s. 13.172 (2).
SB58,21,4 23(4) Confidentiality. The redistricting advisory commission may establish
24policies limiting the information that the legislative reference bureau may provide
25to persons outside of the bureau staff concerning any redistricting plan prepared

1under subch. I of ch. 4, except that any such policy does not apply to a redistricting
2plan after a bill embodying that plan is delivered by the legislative reference bureau
3as required under s. 4.006 or to population data furnished to the legislative reference
4bureau by the U.S. bureau of the census.
SB58,7 5Section 7. Initial applicability.
SB58,21,76 (1) This act first applies to redistricting plans based on the 2020 decennial
7federal census.
SB58,21,88 (End)
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