The bill H. 4755 proposes significant reforms to the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission, primarily by transferring the authority for staffing and appointments from the commission to the Governor. It stipulates that the commission will now consist of twelve members appointed solely by the Governor, with specific qualifications including being members of the South Carolina Bar in good standing for at least ten years. The bill also prohibits current members of the General Assembly and their immediate family members from serving on the commission, and it establishes a two-year waiting period for former members and their families before they can be eligible for appointment. Additionally, the bill mandates that the commission cannot consider diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria in its selection process.

Further amendments include changes to the investigation and hearing processes for judicial candidates, such as requiring public hearings to be live-streamed and allowing for the use of state agency services during investigations. The bill also imposes strict confidentiality on commission records and outlines penalties for violations of the new regulations, including fines and potential imprisonment for members of the General Assembly who engage in unethical practices related to judicial nominations. The act is set to take effect on February 1, 2027, at which point current commission members will vacate their positions to be replaced by those appointed by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
Latest Version: 2-19-5