summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 2-19-5, Relating To South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission Creation, So As To Require That The Commission Be Composed Of Twelve Members Appointed By The Governor; By Amending Section 2-19-20, Relating To Investigation By The Commission And Publication Of Vacancies, So As To Require That Any State Agency Must Cooperate With The Commission's Requests For Information; By Amending Section 2-19-30, Relating To Hearings And Executive Session, So As To Require Written Testimony For Public Hearings Be Submitted No Later Than Seventy-two Hours Before The Scheduled Hearing And Copies Of Written And Spoken Testimony Be Available At No Charge; By Amending Section 2-19-35, Relating To Criteria For Investigations And Consideration Of The Commission, So As To Omit Race, Gender, Sex, Sexual Preference, Color, Religion, National Origin, Intersectional Identifiers, Any Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Critera, Philosophy, Or Frameworks From Being Considered By The Commission When Making Nominations And Appointments; By Amending Section 2-19-50, Relating To Confidentiality Of Records, Information, And Other Material, So As To Exclude Records Held By The Commission Not Previously Or Otherwise Confidential From Being Kept Strictly Confidential; By Amending Section 2-19-60, Relating To Powers Of The Commission, So As To Require That The Commission May Carry Out Its Duties Strictly In Selecting And Vetting Viable Candidates And That No Individual May Be Prosecuted Or Subjected To Punishment, Forfeiture, Criminal, Or Civil Penalty Based Upon Testimony Submitted To The Commission; By Amending Section 2-19-70, Relating To Prohibition Against Dual Offices, Privileges Of The Floor, And Pledges, So As To Prohibit Floor Privileges To Immediate Family Members Of Candidates While The Candidate's Application Is Under Review By The Commission.
AI Summary
This bill reforms the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission (JMSC) by fundamentally changing its composition, operation, and selection criteria. The bill requires that the twelve-member commission be entirely appointed by the Governor, with eight members from the South Carolina Bar and no more than four being law enforcement professionals, and explicitly prohibits current or recent state legislators and their immediate family members from serving. The bill mandates that state agencies must cooperate with the commission's information requests and requires written testimony for public hearings to be submitted at least seventy-two hours in advance. Significantly, the bill removes previous language considering diversity factors and explicitly prohibits the commission from considering race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria when evaluating judicial candidates. The bill also modifies confidentiality rules for commission records, clarifies the commission's investigative powers, and restricts floor privileges for candidates' family members during the application review process. Additionally, the bill provides protection for individuals testifying before the commission, ensuring they cannot be prosecuted based on their testimony. The changes will take effect in February 2027, at which point all current commission members will be replaced by Governor-appointed members.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (15)
Wes Climer (R)*,
Sean Bennett (R),
JD Chaplin (R),
Tom Davis (R),
Tom Fernandez (R),
Stephen Goldfinch (R),
Larry Grooms (R),
Michael Johnson (R),
Carlisle Kennedy (R),
Josh Kimbrell (R),
Harvey Peeler (R),
Mike Reichenbach (R),
Rex Rice (R),
Everett Stubbs (R),
Ross Turner (R),
Last Action
Referred to Committee on Judiciary (on 01/13/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0696&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/696_20251210.htm |
Loading...