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IntroducedDec 16, 2025
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Passed HouseFeb 12, 2026
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Passed Senate
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Became Law
South Carolina House Bill
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 2-19-5, 2-19-20, 2-19-30, 2-19-35, 2-19-50, 2-19-60 AND 2-19-70, ALL RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION SCREENING AND ELECTION OF JUSTICES AND JUDGES, SO AS TO REVISE THE STAFFING AND APPOINTMENT PROCESS OF THE COMMISSION AND TRANSFER THAT AUTHORITY TO THE GOVERNOR, TO PROHIBIT SITTING MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CERTAIN FAMILY MEMBERS FROM SERVING ON THE COMMISSION, TO PROHIBIT THE COMMISSION FROM CONSIDERING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CRITERIA ALONG WITH OTHER SIMILAR CRITERIA, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.
Last Action See all actions
Senate • Feb 12, 2026: Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Latest Bill Text See all bill texts
Summary
Comments on H 4755
Tweets
Whip Lists
Sponsors

- G.M. Smithprimary

- Caskeyprimary
- Jordanprimary
- Baileyprimary
- Ballentineprimary
- Brewerprimary
- Brittainprimary
- Chapmanprimary
- Crawfordprimary
- Cromerprimary
- Davisprimary
- Duncanprimary
- Edgertonprimary
- Forrestprimary
- Gagnonprimary
- Gilliamprimary
- Guestprimary
- Guffeyprimary
- Hagerprimary
- Hardeeprimary
- Hartzprimary
- Herbkersmanprimary
- Hewittprimary
- Hiottprimary
- Hixonprimary
- Holmanprimary
- Huffprimary
- Kilmartinprimary
- Lawsonprimary
- Longprimary
- Loweprimary
- Magnusonprimary
- Martinprimary
- McCravyprimary
- McGinnisprimary
- C. Mitchellprimary
- B. Newtonprimary
- Oremusprimary
- Paceprimary
- Pedalinoprimary
- Popeprimary
- Rankinprimary
- Sandersprimary
- Schuesslerprimary
- Sessionsprimary
- M.M. Smithprimary
- Taylorprimary
- Teepleprimary
- Terribileprimary
- Vaughanprimary
- Whiteprimary
- Whitmireprimary
- Willisprimary
- Yowprimary
- Ericksonprimary
- Chumleyprimary
- Fordprimary
- Lastingerprimary
- Wickensimerprimary
- Bowersprimary
- D. Mitchellprimary
- Gilreathprimary
Votes
YES: 84
- Bailey, William H.
- Ballentine, Nathan
- Bannister, Bruce W.
- Beach, Thomas
- Bowers, Phillip
- Bradley, Jeffrey A.
- Gary S. Brewer, Jr.
- Brittain, Thomas C., Jr.
- Burns, James Mikell
- Bustos, Joseph M.
- Calhoon, Paula Rawl
- Caskey, Micajah P., IV
- Donald G. "Don" Chapman
- Chumley, William M.
- Collins, Neal A.
- Cox, Brandon L.
- Crawford, Heather Ammons
- Davis, Sylleste H.
- Duncan, Adam L.
- Edgerton, Sarita L.
- Erickson, Shannon S.
- Ford, Greg
- Forrest, Cally R., Jr.
- Frank, Stephen
- Gagnon, Craig A.
- Gatch, Gil
- Gibson, Daniel
- Gilreath, Thomas Lee
- Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr.
- Guffey, Brandon
- Haddon, Patrick B.
- William "Bill" Hager
- Hardee, Kevin
- Robert J. "Rob" Harris
- Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr.
- Hartz, Charles V.
- Herbkersman, William G.
- Hewitt, Lee
- Hiott, David R.
- Hixon, William M.
- Holman, Harriet A.
- Huff, William C.
- Johnson, Jeffrey E.
- Jordan, Wallace H., Jr.
- John Gregory "Jay" Kilmartin
- Landing, Kathy
- Lastinger, John T., Jr.
- Lawson, M. Brian
- Ligon, Thomas R.
- Long, Steven Wayne
- Lowe, Phillip D.
- Magnuson, Josiah
- Martin, David
- McCravy, John R., III
- McGinnis, Timothy A.
- Mitchell, Cody T.
- Mitchell, Dianne
- Montgomery, W. Scott, IV
- Morgan, T. Alan, Jr.
- Moss, Dennis C.
- Neese, Mike M.
- Newton, Brandon
- Newton, Wm. Weston J.
- Oremus, Melissa Lackey
- Pace, Jordan S.
- Pedalino, Fawn M.
- Pope, Thomas E.
- Rankin, Luke S.
- Robbins, Robby
- Sanders, Richard Blake
- Schuessler, Carla
- Sessions, Heath
- Smith, G. Murrell, Jr.
- Smith, Marvin
- Taylor, Bill
- Teeple, James E.
- Terribile, Jackie R.
- Vaughan, David
- Joseph S. "Joe" White
- Whitmire, William R.
- Wickensimer, Paul B.
- Willis, Mark N.
- Wooten, Chris
- Yow, Richard L.
NO: 32
- Alexander, Terry
- Anderson, Carl L.
- Atkinson, Lucas
- Bamberg, Justin T.
- Bernstein, Beth E.
- Cromer, April
- Dillard, Chandra E.
- Garvin, Kambrell H.
- Gilliard, Wendell G.
- Govan, Jerry N., Jr.
- Grant, Hamilton R.
- Hart, Christopher R.
- Hayes, Jackie E.
- Henderson-Myers,, Rosalyn D., Ph.D. Hosey, Lonnie
- Howard, Leon
- Johnson, Jermaine L., Sr.
- Jones, Wendell K.
- King, John Richard C.
- Kirby, Roger K.
- Luck, Jason S.
- McDaniel, Annie E.
- Moore, JA
- Reese, Robert T.
- Rivers, Michael F., Sr.
- Rose, Seth
- Rutherford, J. Todd
- Scott, Keishan M.
- Stavrinakis, Leonidas E.
- Weeks, J. David
- Wetmore, Elizabeth
- Williams, Robert Q.
NOT VOTING: 3
EXCUSED: 5
YES: 86
- Atkinson, Lucas
- Bailey, William H.
- Ballentine, Nathan
- Bannister, Bruce W.
- Bauer, Heather
- Beach, Thomas
- Bowers, Phillip
- Bradley, Jeffrey A.
- Gary S. Brewer, Jr.
- Brittain, Thomas C., Jr.
- Burns, James Mikell
- Bustos, Joseph M.
- Calhoon, Paula Rawl
- Caskey, Micajah P., IV
- Donald G. "Don" Chapman
- Collins, Neal A.
- Cox, Brandon L.
- Crawford, Heather Ammons
- Cromer, April
- Davis, Sylleste H.
- Duncan, Adam L.
- Edgerton, Sarita L.
- Erickson, Shannon S.
- Ford, Greg
- Forrest, Cally R., Jr.
- Frank, Stephen
- Gagnon, Craig A.
- Gatch, Gil
- Gilliam, Leon D.
- Gilreath, Thomas Lee
- Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr.
- Guffey, Brandon
- Haddon, Patrick B.
- William "Bill" Hager
- Hardee, Kevin
- Robert J. "Rob" Harris
- Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr.
- Hartz, Charles V.
- Hayes, Jackie E.
- Herbkersman, William G.
- Hewitt, Lee
- Hiott, David R.
- Hixon, William M.
- Holman, Harriet A.
- Huff, William C.
- Jordan, Wallace H., Jr.
- John Gregory "Jay" Kilmartin
- King, John Richard C.
- Landing, Kathy
- Lastinger, John T., Jr.
- Lawson, M. Brian
- Ligon, Thomas R.
- Long, Steven Wayne
- Magnuson, Josiah
- Martin, David
- Donald Ryan McCabe, Jr.
- McCravy, John R., III
- McDaniel, Annie E.
- McGinnis, Timothy A.
- Mitchell, Cody T.
- Mitchell, Dianne
- Morgan, T. Alan, Jr.
- Moss, Dennis C.
- Neese, Mike M.
- Newton, Brandon
- Newton, Wm. Weston J.
- Oremus, Melissa Lackey
- Pace, Jordan S.
- Pedalino, Fawn M.
- Pope, Thomas E.
- Rankin, Luke S.
- Robbins, Robby
- Sanders, Richard Blake
- Schuessler, Carla
- Sessions, Heath
- Smith, G. Murrell, Jr.
- Smith, Marvin
- Taylor, Bill
- Teeple, James E.
- Terribile, Jackie R.
- Vaughan, David
- Joseph S. "Joe" White
- Whitmire, William R.
- Wickensimer, Paul B.
- Willis, Mark N.
- Yow, Richard L.
NO: 25
- Alexander, Terry
- Anderson, Carl L.
- Bamberg, Justin T.
- Bernstein, Beth E.
- Dillard, Chandra E.
- Garvin, Kambrell H.
- Gilliard, Wendell G.
- Grant, Hamilton R.
- Hart, Christopher R.
- Henderson-Myers,, Rosalyn D., Ph.D. Hosey, Lonnie
- Howard, Leon
- Jones, Wendell K.
- Kirby, Roger K.
- Luck, Jason S.
- Moore, JA
- Reese, Robert T.
- Rivers, Michael F., Sr.
- Rose, Seth
- Rutherford, J. Todd
- Scott, Keishan M.
- Stavrinakis, Leonidas E.
- Weeks, J. David
- Wetmore, Elizabeth
- Williams, Robert Q.
ABSTAIN: 1
NOT VOTING: 7
EXCUSED: 5
YES: 71
- Atkinson, Lucas
- Bailey, William H.
- Ballentine, Nathan
- Bauer, Heather
- Beach, Thomas
- Bowers, Phillip
- Bradley, Jeffrey A.
- Gary S. Brewer, Jr.
- Burns, James Mikell
- Bustos, Joseph M.
- Calhoon, Paula Rawl
- Caskey, Micajah P., IV
- Donald G. "Don" Chapman
- Chumley, William M.
- Cox, Brandon L.
- Crawford, Heather Ammons
- Cromer, April
- Davis, Sylleste H.
- Duncan, Adam L.
- Edgerton, Sarita L.
- Erickson, Shannon S.
- Ford, Greg
- Frank, Stephen
- Gagnon, Craig A.
- Gibson, Daniel
- Gilliam, Leon D.
- Gilreath, Thomas Lee
- Guffey, Brandon
- Haddon, Patrick B.
- William "Bill" Hager
- Robert J. "Rob" Harris
- Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr.
- Herbkersman, William G.
- Hewitt, Lee
- Hiott, David R.
- Hixon, William M.
- Holman, Harriet A.
- Huff, William C.
- Landing, Kathy
- Lastinger, John T., Jr.
- Lawson, M. Brian
- Ligon, Thomas R.
- Long, Steven Wayne
- Magnuson, Josiah
- Martin, David
- Donald Ryan McCabe, Jr.
- McCravy, John R., III
- Mitchell, Cody T.
- Mitchell, Dianne
- Montgomery, W. Scott, IV
- Morgan, T. Alan, Jr.
- Moss, Dennis C.
- Neese, Mike M.
- Newton, Brandon
- Pace, Jordan S.
- Pedalino, Fawn M.
- Pope, Thomas E.
- Rankin, Luke S.
- Robbins, Robby
- Sanders, Richard Blake
- Schuessler, Carla
- Smith, G. Murrell, Jr.
- Smith, Marvin
- Taylor, Bill
- Terribile, Jackie R.
- Joseph S. "Joe" White
- Whitmire, William R.
- Wickensimer, Paul B.
- Willis, Mark N.
- Wooten, Chris
- Yow, Richard L.
NO: 10
NOT VOTING: 37
- Anderson, Carl L.
- Bannister, Bruce W.
- Brittain, Thomas C., Jr.
- Cobb-Hunter, Gilda
- Collins, Neal A.
- Dillard, Chandra E.
- Forrest, Cally R., Jr.
- Garvin, Kambrell H.
- Gatch, Gil
- Gilliard, Wendell G.
- Govan, Jerry N., Jr.
- Grant, Hamilton R.
- Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr.
- Hardee, Kevin
- Hart, Christopher R.
- Hartz, Charles V.
- Hayes, Jackie E.
- Henderson-Myers,, Rosalyn D., Ph.D.
- Hosey, Lonnie
- Johnson, Jeffrey E.
- Johnson, Jermaine L., Sr.
- Jones, Wendell K.
- Jordan, Wallace H., Jr.
- Lowe, Phillip D.
- McGinnis, Timothy A.
- Oremus, Melissa Lackey
- Rivers, Michael F., Sr.
- Rutherford, J. Todd
- Scott, Keishan M.
- Sessions, Heath
- Stavrinakis, Leonidas E.
- Teeple, James E.
- Vaughan, David
- Waters, Courtney S.
- Weeks, J. David
- Wetmore, Elizabeth
- Williams, Robert Q.
EXCUSED: 6
Actions
- Feb 12, 2026 | Senate
- Introduced and read first time
- Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- Feb 12, 2026 | House
- Read third time and sent to Senate
- Roll call Yeas-71 Nays-10
- Feb 11, 2026 | House
- Member(s) request name added as sponsor: D.Mitchell, Gilreath
- Amended
- Read second time
- Roll call Yeas-86 Nays-25
- Feb 10, 2026 | House
- Requests for debate-Rep(s). B Newton, Hewitt, Cox, Lawson, McCravy, Long, White, Edgerton, Magnuson, Hixon, Taylor, Hartz, Cromer
- Feb 10, 2026 | legislature
- Scrivener's error corrected
- Feb 10, 2026 | House
- Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bowers
- Feb 05, 2026 | House
- Committee report: Favorable Judiciary
- Jan 21, 2026 | House
- Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Lastinger, Wickensimer
- Jan 14, 2026 | House
- Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Ford
- Jan 13, 2026 | House
- Introduced and read first time
- Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- Dec 16, 2025 | House
- Prefiled
- Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Documents
