The legislature should take the opportunity...
The legislature is passing on redistricting. If any maps are drawn, it will be by the federal courts.
So we'll probably have court-drawn maps for 2018, no?
There has not been a trial yet. If the court has already prepared maps, that would be a violation of due process, no?
The trial on the maps that were imposed by the court in 2012, ratified by the legislature in 2013, and used in 2012, 2014, and 2016 is scheduled for this summer.
The court asked if Texas wanted to draw yet another set of maps - perhaps so they wouldn't have to rule on the legality of the maps that they imposed. Remember that one judge on the three-judge panel says that once they ruled on the 2011 maps, the case should have been closed. There is a possibility that the court no longer has jurisdiction. On appeal to the SCOTUS that will be an issue.
In any event, Texas would be expected to draw a new map pre-assuming what the decision of a trial court will be for what has not yet been tried. Given the appeal to the SCOTUS it is not clear whether that can be done before 2018. Perhaps 2020.
