LL8 creates two separate bodies charged with proposing a redistricting map of the 39 geographical districts of the Albany County Legislature following the US Census taken every ten years. This action is necessary in order to assure that the numbers of residents in each Legislative District (“LD”) is approximately the same, as required by NY State law, federal law and court decisions – and also to meet requirements for fair minority representation.

Sections A, B and G concern the creation of the Redistricting Commission (“ACRC”) and how its members are to be appointed. Four initial members are appointed by different County Legislative leaders, and then these four people appoint five more members from the pool of those applying to serve, with one of the latter five serving as Chair.

Sections C and D establish the Majority Minority District Redistricting Subcommittee (“MMD”) whose three initial members are appointed by the ACRC on the recommendation of the chair of the County Legislature’s Black Caucus. These three individuals then appoint four more members, and select their own Chair.

Section D4 lays out specific tasks for the MMD, including the holding of public hearings and the drawing of legislative district maps for each of their recommended Majority Minority Districts. These maps and the MMD’s final report are then submitted to the ACRC for its consideration in preparing district maps for all 39 legislative districts.

All of the appointees must be volunteers who have responded to the County’s public solicitation to serve on the ACRC or the MMD. Sections B1, D1 and especially F set out specific exclusions from consideration of persons who in the last four years have been candidates for public office, paid staff of elected officials, officers, employees and paid consultants of political parties and political campaigns, county employees or paid consultants, and registered lobbyists – and also precludes members of the immediate families of such persons from serving.

Section E outlines the process and goals of soliciting volunteer members for both the ACRC and the MMD. Section H requires the ACRC and the MMD to issue separate Requests for Proposals for mapping services. 

Section I requires compliance with the requirements of the federal Voting Rights Act by the members of the ACRC and MMD, all staff, and consultants. It also lays out 7 factors to be considered - and sometimes not considered - in the drawing of legislative districts.

Section J concerns the funding of the ACRC and MMD, including the hiring of legal counsel and staff (with staff also subject to the restrictions of Section F.) It requires the exercise of the highest standard of conduct, allowing timely input from the County Legislature and its members, and a commitment to full transparency. The ACRC and the MMD are to work collaboratively and closely together with full discussion and dialogue.

Section K requires the ACRC and MMD to conduct not less than four public hearings throughout Albany County, with the MMD empowered to conduct its own public hearings. Hearings are to be widely publicized in advance, with the County’s website to be the venue for all information regarding the work of the ACRC and the MMD. Draft redistricting plans and data are to be in a form that facilitates its use by the public, and a final public hearing is to be held on the final redistricting plan before its submission to the County Legislature. 

Section L requires the ACRC to submit a draft redistricting local law to the Clerk of the Legislature with its final report, to be available on the County website. Time frames are laid out for consideration of the final report of the ACRC and the process of approval of the redistricting local law (including a public hearing) by the Legislature and the County Executive. 

Section M sets the effective date of these provisions following the voter approval that occurred on November 5, 2019.