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H.R. 2349 97th Congress House

Fair Representation Act of 1981

Official title: A bill to require the establishment, on the basis of the decennial census, of congressional districts that are of reasonable numerical equality and that meet c… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to require the establishment, on the basis of the decennial census, of congressional districts that are of reasonable numerical equality and that meet certain other requirements, in order to insure fair and effective representation.

Introduced: March 5, 1981 See on congress.gov
Congress Black voting rightsCensusCensus and StatisticsCivil Rights and Liberties
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Congressional districtsLanguage and languagesMinoritiesPopulation statisticsVotingVoting rights
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This bill died when the 97th Congress ended
It never became law before the 97th Congress (1981–1982) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 10, 1981
Referred to Subcommittee on Monopolies and Commercial Law.
Mar 5, 1981
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Mar 5, 1981
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 10, 1981

Referred to Subcommittee on Monopolies and Commercial Law.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fair Representation Act of 1981 - Establishes in each State entitled to more than one Representative a number of districts equal to the number of Representatives to which such State is entitled.

Requires the number of persons in such districts to be as equal as practicable, according to the most recent decennial census. Requires such district to be: (1) drawn with due regard to significant natural geographic barriers; (2) defined by boundaries which coincide with boundaries of local political subdivisions; and (3) compact in form. Defines the numerical equality of persons in such districts to be either absolute numerical equality or, under certain circumstances, reasonable numerical equality.

Prohibits a State from drawing boundaries: (1) of districts for the purpose of favoring any political party or individual; or (2) of a district for the purpose of or with the effect of denying effective voting representation to any language or racial minority group.

Prohibits construing this Act to supersede the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Authorizes any eligible voter to sue in U.S. district court for enforcement of this Act in such voter's State. Sets forth provisions for judicial review of actions brought to enforce this Act.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2349: Fair Representation Act of 1981. 97th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-2349/
MLA
"H.R. 2349: Fair Representation Act of 1981." 97th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-2349/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2349, 97th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-2349/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2349: Fair Representation Act of 1981](https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-2349/)
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