South Carolina S0696 amends the South Carolina Code to reform the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, including changes to its composition, powers.

South Carolina S0696 amends the South Carolina Code to reform the Judicial Merit Selection Commission. The bill requires the commission to be composed of twelve members appointed by the Governor, with specific qualifications and restrictions on eligibility. It prohibits members of the General Assembly from seeking or offering pledges of votes for judicial candidates until the commission has released its report on the candidates' qualifications. The bill also mandates that the commission's public hearings be live-streamed, except for executive sessions.

South Carolina S0696 amends the South Carolina Code to reform the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, including changes to its composition, powers.

South Carolina S0696 amends the South Carolina Code to reform the Judicial Merit Selection Commission. The bill requires the commission to be composed of twelve members appointed by the Governor, with specific qualifications and restrictions on eligibility. It prohibits members of the General Assembly from seeking or offering pledges of votes for judicial candidates until the commission has released its report on the candidates' qualifications. The bill also mandates that the commission's public hearings be live-streamed, except for executive sessions.