Overview

• Public feedback runs Sept. 25–Oct. 5 on six committee maps and more than 100 public submissions, with staff screening out partisan-based comments.
• When lawmakers meet Oct. 6, they will consider only the five Republican options and one Escamilla/Owens proposal that were posted for the full 10 days, not publicly drawn maps.
• Two tense hearings produced no vote as disputes centered on data transparency and expert bias, with Democrats questioning GOP consultant Sean Trende’s unverifiable data and Republicans challenging Daniel Magleby’s impartiality.
• Analyses reported that all five GOP options create at least one competitive seat, including one plan that slightly favors Democrats, while the Escamilla/Owens map would likely yield a safe Democratic district.
• The compressed schedule requires a same-day special session after the committee’s recommendation, with a final map due for court approval by Nov. 10 to meet 2026 election timelines.