JMSC Reform

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-10, RELATING TO JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION, APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TERM OF OFFICE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT TWO MEMBERS MUST BE APPOINTED FROM EACH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRMAN; TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LEGISLATIVE DELEGATIONS; TO LIMIT COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP TO TWO TERMS; TO PROHIBIT MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM SERVING ON THE COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL ELECT OFFICERS; TO PROVIDE THAT FORMER MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MUST BE OUT OF OFFICE FOR FIVE YEARS BEFORE SERVING ON THE COMMISSION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT CURRENT JUDGES AND FORMER JUDGES MAY NOT SERVE ON THE COMMISSION; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-80, RELATING TO THE NOMINATION OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ALL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.