The bill S. 696 proposes comprehensive reforms to the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission, restructuring it to consist solely of twelve members appointed by the Governor, who must be members of the South Carolina Bar in good standing with a minimum of ten years of legal experience. It requires state agencies to cooperate with the commission's information requests and mandates that written testimony for public hearings be submitted at least seventy-two hours in advance. Importantly, the bill prohibits the commission from considering race, gender, or other demographic factors in its nominations and appointments, aiming to enhance the integrity and transparency of the judicial selection process.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions regarding the evaluation of candidates for the commission, requiring that any violations by candidates or commission members be reported to the appropriate Ethics Committees, with nonlegislative violations reported to the State Ethics Commission. It classifies violations as misdemeanors, subject to fines or imprisonment, and specifies that cases cannot be transferred from general sessions court. Furthermore, effective February 1, 2027, all current commission members must vacate their positions to be replaced by new appointees selected by the Governor. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/10/2025: 2-19-5, 2-19-20, 2-19-30, 2-19-35, 2-19-50, 2-19-60, 2-19-70
Latest Version: 2-19-5, 2-19-20, 2-19-30, 2-19-35, 2-19-50, 2-19-60, 2-19-70