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 with, in the preceding five years. This requirement is included in 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 various legislative leaders and the Governor, with specific qualifications regarding legal experience. It also includes provisions for term limits, conflict of interest disclosures, and eligibility criteria for commission members. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, reinforcing the commitment to a fair and impartial 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