SB 1414 Heads to Governor’s Desk, Advancing Independent Redistricting for San Bernardino County Reyes’ legislation would put residents—not elected officials—in charge of drawing supervisorial district lines
SB 1414 Heads to Governor’s Desk, Advancing Independent Redistricting for San Bernardino County
Reyes’ legislation would put residents—not elected officials—in charge of drawing supervisorial district lines
SACRAMENTO, CA — Senate Bill 1414, authored by Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton), has passed the California Legislature and is headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, bringing San Bernardino County one step closer to establishing a truly independent citizens redistricting commission.
SB 1414 would establish an independent commission responsible for drawing the boundaries of San Bernardino County’s five supervisorial districts following the 2030 Census. Unlike the County’s existing advisory commission, the independent commission—not the Board of Supervisors—would have final authority over the maps.
“Good government begins with a simple principle: the people should have confidence that their government works for them,” said Senator Reyes. “Voters should choose their representatives; representatives should not choose their voters. SB 1414 puts the power to draw district lines where it belongs—with the people of San Bernardino County, through an independent, transparent and community-driven process. Our democracy is strongest when residents have a meaningful voice not only in who represents them, but in the rules by which they are represented.”
The legislation builds upon reforms San Bernardino County voters considered in 2020, when two competing county charter measures—Measures J and K—appeared on the ballot.
Measure J, placed on the ballot by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, made a number of changes to the County Charter, including requiring the creation of a redistricting commission. Voters narrowly approved Measure J with 50.72 percent of the vote. The resulting seven-member commission, however, is advisory: five members are nominated by individual members of the Board of Supervisors, and the Board retains final authority to adopt supervisorial district boundaries.
On the same ballot, voters overwhelmingly approved Measure K, a citizen-initiated measure that sought to limit county supervisors to one four-year term and cap their compensation at $5,000 per month. Measure K received 66.84 percent of the vote.
Following the election, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors challenged Measure K in court. The County also supported AB 428, legislation authored by then-Assemblymember Chad Mayes in 2021 that established a statewide minimum of two terms when voters impose term limits on county supervisors and clarified state law concerning boards of supervisors setting compensation. AB 428 was signed into law later that year.
The legal fight over Measure K ultimately reached the California Court of Appeal, illustrating a broader and longstanding debate in San Bernardino County over voter authority, accountability and the structure of county government.
SB 1414 addresses that question in the context of redistricting by removing elected officials from the final decision over the boundaries of the districts from which they themselves are elected.
Under SB 1414, commissioners would be selected through an independent application and screening process designed to limit political influence and reflect San Bernardino County’s geographic, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and occupational diversity. The commission would conduct its work publicly, with hearings and opportunities for residents to participate throughout the redistricting process.
Independent redistricting is increasingly the standard in California. Los Angeles and San Diego counties already use independent commissions, and several additional counties will do so beginning with the 2030 redistricting cycle.
“San Bernardino County residents have repeatedly demonstrated that they care deeply about transparency, accountability and having a voice in how their government operates,” Reyes said. “SB 1414 honors that principle. This is not about one party, one politician or one election. It is about building a process people can trust for generations to come.”
SB 1414 will now be transmitted to Governor Newsom for consideration.
###
Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Senate District 29, Colton, Fontana, Highland, Loma Linda, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Upland, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.