State legislators will begin a series of meetings on Tuesday to decide how to comply with a court order requiring congressional districts in Alabama to be redrawn.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) upheld with a 5-4 vote a lower court's decision to require the Alabama Legislature to redraw the congressional districts to include a second largely or majority-black congressional district.
The Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment is scheduled to meet at the State House on Tuesday and July 13. At a status conference on June 16, the court gave the state of Alabama until July 21 to pass a revised Congressional map.
State Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile) said the committee on Tuesday will "adopt guidelines and begin reviewing the plans that have been submitted to the committee."
Pringle told 1819 News on Monday "well over 70" plans had been submitted to the committee.
"Anyone can submit. We got one from France," Pringle said.
Alabama currently has one majority-black congressional district held by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham).
The following Senate members were appointed last week to the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth:
State Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile)
State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road)
State Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City)
Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville)
State Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro)
State Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook)
Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro)
State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur)
State Sen. Jack Williams (R-Wilmer)
State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham)
State Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva)
Livingston is currently serving as co-chair of the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment. A list of House members on the committee can be found here.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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