A committee to redraw legislative and congressional district boundaries for Montana has just been appointed.

Minority and majority leaders from both the House and the Senate each get to choose one person to serve on the committee.

According to state law, a bipartisan commission is responsible for redistricting every 10 years using population data from the most recent United State's census.     

Members of the commission may not be public officials.

The new committee will set the districts for the next 10 years.

"This isn't a job for the faint of heart. It's one that's going to take a lot of compromising; a lot of work and it's just a very, very difficult process," Rep. Margarett Campbell (D-Poplar) said.

"I would like to encourage the appointees to keep the process open and transparent. You know, the redistricting process is inherently political and partisan which means it's probably even more important to keep the public involved," Sen. Jim Peterson (R-Buffalo) said.

The redistricting committee includes Jon Bennion, Clancy; Joe Lamson, Helena; Pat Smith, Missoula; Linda Vaughey, Helena.

House Minority Leader Scott Sales chose Attorney Jon Bennion. House Majority Leader Margarett Campbell chose Joe Lamson who currently serves as the deputy director of the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Senate Minority Leader Carol Williams appointed Attorney Pat Smith. Senate Majority Leader Jim Peterson chose Helena Housing Commissioner Linda Vaughey.

The committee is responsible to select a bipartisan chairperson in the next 20 days. If they do not choose a chairperson in that time, the state Supreme Court will take on the responsibility.