A state Senator from Delaware County has introduced a bill that would create an 11-member independent Redistricting Commission to redraw congressional district lines, reports the Media News Group for readingeagle.com.

Senate Bill 1023, introduced by Republican State Sen. Tom Killion, removes the congressional redistricting process from legislative leaders to stop congressional gerrymandering in Pennsylvania.

“Citizens should pick their legislators, not vice versa,” said Sen. Killion. “The current congressional redistricting process in which legislative leaders propose a congressional redistricting plan that is then presented to the General Assembly for approval is irreparably broken.”

The Independent Commission would be randomly selected voters from both major parties, independents and third-party members.

The members and their spouses cannot be lobbyists, political staff or federal or state employees within five years prior to appointment, according to the bill.

It is supported by Fair Districts PA, a nonpartisan, statewide coalition of organizations and individuals working to create a process for redistricting that is transparent, impartial and fair.

Senate Bill 1023 is closely related to Senate Bill 1022 introduced by Sen. Lisa Boscola, a Lehigh County Democrat.

The bill has 13 co-sponsors from both major parties.

Read more about State Sen. Tom Killion’s bill to end gerrymandering here.

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