JMSC Reform

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-10, RELATING TO JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TERMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND AT LEAST TWO OF THE MEMBERS MUST NOT BE LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-20, RELATING TO INVESTIGATION BY COMMISSION; PUBLICATION OF VACANCIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN INCUMBENT JUDGE SHALL NOTIFY THE SUPREME COURT OF HIS INTEREST IN CONTINUING TO SERVE ON THE BENCH RATHER THAN SEEKING RE-ELECTION AND MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-30, RELATING TO HEARINGS; EXECUTIVE SESSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED AT THE HEARING AND FINDINGS OF FACT BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT AND ALSO PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNOR; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-70, RELATING TO PROHIBITION AGAINST DUAL OFFICES, PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR, AND PLEDGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CANDIDATES MAY BE APPOINTED, RATHER THAN ELECTED; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-80, RELATING TO NOMINATION OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-90, RELATING TO APPROVAL OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GOVERNOR SHALL TRANSMIT JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS TO THE SENATE FOR ITS ADVICE AND CONSENT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-100, RELATING TO ELIGIBILITY OF RETIRED JUDGES FOR APPOINTMENT, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.