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. 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 requirement is inserted into both Section 2-19-5 and Section 2-19-90 of the South Carolina 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, emphasizing the need for diversity and nondiscrimination in appointments. It also establishes terms for commission members, stipulates that they cannot receive compensation for their services, and sets restrictions on their eligibility for judicial positions while serving on the commission and for one year thereafter. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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