The bill H. 3033 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding the Judicial Merit Selection Commission and the election of judges and justices by the General Assembly. It specifically requires attorney-legislators serving on the commission to recuse themselves from the voting and screening processes for judges or justices they have appeared before, or have had appearances in the preceding five years. This amendment is made to both Section 2-19-5 and Section 2-19-90 of the code, ensuring that potential conflicts of interest are addressed in the judicial selection process.

Additionally, the bill outlines the composition and appointment process for the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, stipulating that members must be appointed by the Speaker of the House, the Senate, and the Governor, with specific qualifications regarding legal experience. It also includes provisions for term limits, eligibility criteria, and the handling of vacancies on the commission. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, reinforcing the importance of maintaining integrity and transparency in the judicial selection process in South Carolina.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 2-19-5, 2-19-90
Latest Version: 2-19-5, 2-19-90
12/06/2024: 2-19-5, 2-19-90