County of Merced Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The bill text was re-rendered from a formal chaptered document format (with page numbers, 'STATE OF CALIFORNIA / AUTHENTICATED' headers, and traditional layout) to a web page format that includes site navigation elements, a version history dropdown, metadata such as publication date, and the same statutory content reformatted for online display.

The bill header changed from the enrolled format (showing passage dates by the Assembly and Senate, blank signature lines) to the chaptered format showing 'CHAPTER 730' and the Governor's approval date of October 13, 2025.

Page headers changed from 'AB 1441' to 'Ch. 730' throughout the document, reflecting its new status as a signed chapter law.

The lookback period for disqualifying political activities (holding office, serving as a candidate, employee, consultant, party officer, or lobbyist) was shortened from 10 years to 8 years immediately preceding the date of application. This makes it easier for people with more recent political involvement to qualify for the commission.

A new subdivision (d) in Section 21557 requires that, to the greatest extent practicable, each commission member be present for all public hearings and internal meetings of the commission. This is a new attendance obligation not present in the prior version.

Minor grammatical correction in Section 21556(d)(4)(A): 'have been a candidate for office' was changed to 'been a candidate for office.'

Commission size reduced from 14 members to 11 members, with quorum and voting threshold correspondingly reduced from 9 to 7.

Selection process simplified: the random drawing now selects only one commissioner from each of the five supervisorial district subpools (5 total), rather than selecting one from each subpool plus three additional commissioners from all remaining applicants (8 total). The five initial commissioners then appoint six additional members at a public meeting with interviews and public comment.

Minimum number of public hearings before drawing a map reduced from seven to five, still requiring at least one hearing in each supervisorial district over no fewer than 30 days.

New Section 21557.5 prohibits commission members from communicating with any individual or organization regarding redistricting matters outside of a public meeting, with exceptions for administrative communications with board staff and direct communication among commission members, staff, legal counsel, and consultants.

Detailed mapping criteria (population equality, VRA compliance, contiguity, communities of interest, compactness) previously spelled out in the bill are replaced with a single cross-reference to Section 21130 of the Elections Code.

Deadline for requesting live translation at public hearings increased from 24 hours to 72 hours before the hearing.

Commission size reduced from 14 members to 11 members, which also lowers the quorum and supermajority voting threshold from 9 to 7.

The bill's legislative intent statement ('It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that will ensure fair elections') was removed entirely.

The appointment process was restructured: five randomly selected commissioners (previously eight) now appoint the six additional members at a separate public meeting, must interview finalists, allow public comment, and each appointee must receive at least three of the five votes. The county elections official may now select 'up to 60' qualified applicants rather than exactly 60.

Required public hearings before drawing a map reduced from at least seven to at least five, still over no fewer than 30 days with at least one in each supervisorial district.

A new paragraph was added requiring the commission to establish single-member supervisorial districts using the criteria set forth in Section 21130 of the Elections Code, providing an additional statutory reference for mapping standards.

The deadline for requesting live translation at a public hearing was extended from 24 hours to 72 hours before the hearing.

The legislative digest now indicates 'Fiscal committee: yes' and 'State-mandated local program: yes' (previously both were 'no'), acknowledging that the bill imposes state-mandated costs on the county requiring fiscal review and potential reimbursement.

Establishes a Citizens Redistricting Commission for the County of Merced, adding Chapter 6.6 (Sections 21554-21559) to Division 21 of the Elections Code. The commission is charged with adjusting supervisorial district boundaries following each decennial census.

Changed from a general legislative intent statement applicable statewide to a specific local statute applying only to the County of Merced, with a special statute finding under Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution.

Sets detailed qualifications for the 14 commission members: must be Merced County residents, continuously registered voters with the same party preference for 5+ years, must have voted in at least one of the last three statewide elections, and must not have held office, served as a political employee/consultant, been a lobbyist, or served on a party central committee within the prior 10 years (including immediate family members).

Specifies a multi-step selection process: county elections official selects 60 most qualified applicants from a pool, creates subpools by district, Auditor-Controller conducts random drawings to select 8 commissioners, who then appoint 6 additional members considering diversity and party proportionality.

Establishes mapping criteria in priority order: (1) population equality based on census data with incarcerated persons excluded unless their last known residence is in the county, (2) compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act, (3) geographic contiguity, (4) respect for communities of interest, and (5) compactness. Prohibits drawing districts to favor or disfavor incumbents, candidates, or parties.

Requires at least seven public hearings before a map is drawn (at least one per district, over 30+ days), at least two more after a draft map is released (over 30+ days), live translation in languages spoken by 3%+ of voting-age residents, and public access to redistricting data and software.

Imposes post-service restrictions: commission members are barred from holding elective office for 5 years and appointive office, paid staff/consultant roles, or lobbying registration for 3 years after appointment. The plan is subject to referendum in the same manner as ordinances.

Fiscal committee designation changed from 'no' to 'yes' and state-mandated local program changed from 'no' to 'yes.' Added a provision requiring reimbursement through the Commission on State Mandates if costs are determined to be state-mandated. The Board of Supervisors must provide reasonable funding and staffing for the commission.