To require any entity established to develop congressional redistricting plans for a State to hold public hearings at which individuals who are members of communities of interest have a meaningful opportunity to express their views on proposed redistricting plans, and for other purposes.

This bill requires any entity other than the legislature of a state that develops a congressional redistricting plan for a state, including an independent redistricting commission, to

• hold multiple public hearings prior to the development of a final plan,
• ensure that individuals may attend such hearings virtually,
• hold such hearings in locations which are within a reasonable distance of the locations of communities of interest, and
• ensure that members of communities of interest have meaningful opportunities to express their views on any of the entity's plans.

For purposes of this bill, communities of interest may include political subdivisions such as counties, municipalities, tribal lands and reservations, or school districts, but shall not include common relationships with political parties or political candidates.

Bill 117 hr 7948, also known as the "Community of Interest Redistricting Act," aims to ensure that the process of congressional redistricting is transparent and inclusive. The bill requires any entity responsible for developing congressional redistricting plans in a state to hold public hearings where members of communities of interest can voice their opinions on proposed redistricting plans.

The bill emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals who are part of communities of interest to have a meaningful opportunity to express their views on how their districts should be redrawn. This is intended to prevent gerrymandering and ensure that redistricting plans accurately reflect the needs and interests of the communities they represent.

In addition to requiring public hearings, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to the redistricting process. Overall, the goal of Bill 117 hr 7948 is to promote fairness and transparency in the congressional redistricting process by giving a voice to communities of interest and preventing partisan manipulation of district boundaries.