JEFFERSON CITY – Legislation that will establish new boundaries for Missouri’s eight congressional districts is one step closer to consideration on the House floor. The House Special Committee on Redistricting gave its stamp of approval to HB 2117 Wednesday morning during a public hearing in the State Capitol.
Committee Chair Dan Shaul and Vice-Chair Hannah Kelly said the map approved by the committee was created with input from legislators representing their constituents, public testimony from citizens across the state of Missouri, and 2020 census data.
“The map created in HB 2117 contains compact and contiguous districts as required by our constitution while also keeping communities of interest and like-mindedness together,” said Shaul, R-Imperial. “The Census data allowed us the opportunity to better understand Missouri’s population and we used that information in combination with the testimony shared in committee to create a map that accurately reflects our state and our congressional districts.”
Kelly said the bipartisan process used in committee allowed members from both parties to have input on the new district boundaries. The committee met again Wednesday afternoon to give time to an alternate map proposed by House Minority Leader Crystal Quade. While the committee did not approve the map, Kelly said she was pleased with House Leadership’s commitment to due process.
“Our goal has been to allow all state representatives, and Missourians from all parts of the state, to make their voices heard on this bill before we move forward,” said Kelly, R-Mountain Grove. “I’m confident we have a bill that fairly and accurately represents our districts, and that can receive strong support on the House floor. There is no stronger foundation than the Constitution we are sworn to uphold.”
HB 2117 must now receive approval from the House Rules committee before moving to the House floor for discussion. Shaul and Kelly anticipate the bill will be discussed on the floor on Tuesday, January 18.