The bill S. 249 aims to amend Section 2-20-30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which pertains to the public hearing process for nonjudicial candidates. The proposed changes include the elimination of the requirement that hearings be conducted no later than two weeks prior to the election date. Additionally, the bill stipulates that candidates may not obtain pledges or commitments until the twelfth day after the release of the nominees' names, and it mandates that a minimum of twenty-two days must pass between the report of nominations and the election date.

These amendments are designed to streamline the election process for nonjudicial candidates by providing more flexibility in scheduling hearings and ensuring a clear timeline for candidate pledges. The bill will take effect upon approval by the Governor and will apply to elections occurring after July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
01/21/2025: 2-20-30
Latest Version: 2-20-30