Bill > H3033

This bill amends two sections of South Carolina law related to judicial selection and elections, focusing on conflict of interest provisions for attorney-legislators serving on the Judicial Merit Selection Commission. Specifically, the bill requires attorney-legislators to recuse themselves from voting or participating in the screening or election process for judges or justices before whom they have appeared in the preceding five years. The changes apply to both the commission's screening process and the General Assembly's judicial election process. Under the new provisions, if an attorney-legislator has a potential conflict of interest with a particular judge or justice, they must notify the commission or legislative body and remove themselves from voting or participating in that specific judicial candidate's evaluation. The bill maintains the existing structure of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, which consists of 12 members appointed by the Speaker of the House, Senate leadership, and the Governor, with provisions for demographic diversity and term limits. The changes aim to enhance the impartiality and integrity of the judicial selection process by preventing potential conflicts of interest. The amendments will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving state officials time to prepare for the new recusal requirements.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3033&session=126&summary=B