JMSC Reform

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-10, RELATING TO THE JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION, APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TERMS, SO AS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS FROM TEN TO SEVEN, AND TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERSHIP ON THE COMMISSION SHALL BE THE GOVERNOR AND SIX MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-40, RELATING TO EXEMPTION FROM HEARING, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT FOUR MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MAY REQUEST THAT THE REQUIREMENT FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE MAY BE WAIVED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-60, RELATING TO POWERS OF COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE SUBSECTION DESIGNATIONS TO CURRENTLY UNDESIGNATED PARAGRAPHS; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-70, RELATING TO PROHIBITION AGAINST DUAL OFFICES, PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR, AND PLEDGES, SO AS TO REMOVE A REFERENCE TO CERTAIN COMMISSIONERS; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-80, RELATING TO NOMINATION OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ALL CANDIDATES FOUND QUALIFIED MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-90, RELATING TO APPROVAL OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL ANNOUNCE THE COMMISSION'S NOMINEES FOR EACH JUDICIAL RACE AT THE JOINT ASSEMBLY TO ELECT JUDGES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 8-13-745, RELATING TO PAID REPRESENTATION OF CLIENTS AND CONTRACTING BY MEMBER OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR ASSOCIATE IN PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ARE PROHIBITED FROM REPRESENTING CLIENTS FOR A FEE BEFORE A COURT IN THE UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM OR EQUITY COURTS IF THE MEMBER VOTED IN JUDICIAL ELECTIONS OR THE CONFIRMATION OF MASTERS-IN-EQUITY DURING THE PRECEDING TWELVE MONTHS.