Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the Governor of South Carolina to appoint all members of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission to be staffed by the Governor’s office, composed of twelve members appointed by the Governor, with the following criteria (Sec. 1): 

• Eight members must be members of the South Carolina Bar in good standing; 

• No more than four members may be law enforcement professionals; and

• No individual currently serving in the General Assembly of either chamber is eligible to serve, nor their spouse, children, or siblings, and former members are required to wait a minimum of two years to become eligible. 

• Restricts individuals from being eligible if they contributed individually to the Governor’s campaign in the most recent election (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes members of the commission to serve for a term of two years and no more than two consecutive terms, unless filling a vacancy, in which case they may serve two full terms thereafter (Sec. 1). 

• Reduces the timeframe in which an individual who wishes to testify at a hearing for judicial appointees must submit their written testimony from two weeks to 72 hours (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that anonymous survey data is considered insufficient evidence to find an appointee not qualified (Sec. 3).

• Establishes the deadline for the Judicial Merit Selection Commission to meet, conduct hearings, or render findings on the qualifications of candidates as the first Wednesday in March (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the consideration of race, gender, sex, sexual preference, color, religion, national origin, and other markers of diversity, equity, and inclusion from being considered in making nominations and appointments (Sec. 5).

• Prohibits any individual found not qualified by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission from being appointed to a magistrate position (Sec. 10).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect July 1, 2027 (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text