(1) When apportioning the state into congressional or legislative districts, the Legislative Assembly shall hold at least 10 public hearings at locations throughout the state prior to proposing a reapportionment plan.

(2) In addition to the hearings required under subsection (1) of this section, the Legislative Assembly or the Secretary of State, whichever is applicable, shall:

(a) To the extent practicable, hold six public hearings after a reapportionment plan is proposed, but before the plan is adopted. The adoption of a reapportionment plan may not be delayed by the impracticability of holding one or more of the hearings required under this subsection.

(b) Conduct the hearings required under this subsection either in six different congressional districts of this state or with the use of videoconferencing technologies that permit active citizen participation throughout the state.

(3) In holding the hearings required under subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the Legislative Assembly or the Secretary of State, whichever is applicable, must:

(a) Provide appropriate public notice of the time and location of each hearing;

(b) Hold at least one hearing required under subsection (1) of this section in each congressional district of this state;

(c) Hold at least one hearing required under subsection (1) of this section and one hearing required under subsection (2) of this section in areas that have experienced the largest shifts in population since the previous reapportionment, and prioritize holding additional public hearings in these areas; and

(d) Permit and make provision for individuals at remote sites throughout the state to provide public testimony at the hearings through the use of video equipment. [2015 c.257 § 2; 2023 c.604 § 3]