SB 348: Hancock County; Board of County Commissioners; description of the commissioner districts; change

Hancock County elects four county commissioners from separate districts, plus a chairperson elected countywide, under a local law that dates to 1885 and was last redrawn in 2013. This bill replaces the current district lines with new ones based on the 2020 U.S. Census, spelled out block by block in an attached appendix labeled 'HancockCCSB-2025.' The bill keeps the same four district numbers (1 through 4) but redefines exactly which census blocks and voting precincts (VTDs) fall into each one. It also sets rules for handling any leftover areas not assigned to a district, or areas assigned to a district they don't touch geographically, by folding them into the nearest contiguous district with the smallest population. Commissioners currently in office keep serving out their terms under the new district lines. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

• Redraws the boundaries of Hancock County's four commissioner districts based on 2020 census block and precinct data instead of the 2013 lines.
• Adds a detailed appendix mapping each district to specific census blocks and voting precincts (VTDs) within Hancock County.
• Establishes a rule that any county area left out of the new district map gets assigned to the adjoining district with the lowest population.
• Establishes a rule that any area assigned to a noncontiguous district instead gets reassigned to the adjoining district with the lowest population.
• Allows sitting commissioners to finish their current terms, treating them as representing their old district number even though its boundaries have changed.
• Sets the new map's effective date as July 1, 2025.

Hancock County voters and residents, whose commissioner district assignment may change under the new map; the four sitting county commissioners, who continue serving under redefined districts; and county election officials, who must administer elections using the new boundaries.

Where a person's home falls within the new district lines determines which commissioner represents them and votes on their behalf. Because the redistricting is based on updated 2020 census data, some residents could shift into a different district than before, changing who they vote for locally.

• Section 1 revises subsections (b) and (c) of Section II of the 1885 Act (as amended in 2013) to redefine Commissioner Districts 1 through 4 according to the new Appendix A map.
• Section 1 defines 'VTD' as voting precinct boundaries from the 2020 U.S. Census and clarifies how named cities' boundaries are determined using 2020 census maps.
• Section 1 sets a default rule assigning any unassigned county area to the adjacent district with the smallest population.
• Section 1 sets a default rule reassigning any noncontiguous district area to the adjacent district with the smallest population.
• Section 2 lets current board members finish their terms and treats them as representing their district under the new description.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as July 1, 2025.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.
• The appendix lists the specific census blocks and voting precincts assigned to Districts 1 through 4.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 608
3. 2026-05-11Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senado)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senado)
5. 2026-02-17House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2026-02-17House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2026-02-17House Committee Favorably Reported (Cámara de Representantes)
8. 2026-02-06House Withdrawn, Recommitted (Cámara de Representantes)

• David Lucas (D, SD-026)Patrocinador principal
• Mack Jackson (D, HD-128)

1. AprobadaVotación: Senado27 de marzo de 2025

   52 a favor, 0 en contra (0 sin votar, 4 ausentes)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #291

2. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes17 de febrero de 2026

   163 a favor, 1 en contra (7 sin votar, 4 ausentes)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #513

• Hancock County
• county commissioners
• redistricting
• local government
• election districts