A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-10, RELATING TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION AND THEIR TERMS, SO AS TO REVISE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION AND PROVIDE STAGGERED TERMS FOR THE NEW SEVEN-MEMBER COMMISSION, AND TO DELETE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM THE COMMISSION; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-20, RELATING TO JUDICIAL VACANCIES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-35, RELATING TO JUDICIAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND INVESTIGATION OF CANDIDATES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-70, RELATING TO PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR AND PLEDGES, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE CANVASSING OF VOTES BY A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR A CANDIDATE BEFORE FORMAL RELEASE OF THE REPORT, TO PROVIDE THAT THE FORMAL RELEASE OF THE REPORT IS NINETY-SIX HOURS AFTER THE LIST OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES IS INITIALLY RELEASED, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-80, RELATING TO THE NOMINATION OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO CHANGE THE COMMISSION'S PROCESS FROM NOMINATION OF THREE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO THE RELEASE OF A LIST OF ALL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND TO PROVIDE FOR THREE WEEKS BETWEEN THE RELEASE OF THE LIST OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ELECTION FOR THE JUDGESHIPS; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-90, RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF JUDICIAL CANDIDATES BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE IT IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO VOTE IN JUDICIAL ELECTIONS, TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR A MEMBER TO RECUSE HIMSELF, TO PROVIDE A MEMBER MAY REQUEST A WRITTEN ETHICS COMMITTEE OPINION FROM THE APPROPRIATE BODY REGARDING WHEN RECUSAL MAY BE NECESSARY, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 1-3-240, RELATING TO REMOVAL OF OFFICERS BY GOVERNOR, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION IN THE PURVIEW OF THE STATUTE REGARDING REMOVAL ONLY FOR CERTAIN SPECIFIED REASONS.
Sponsored bills
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-315 SO AS TO PROVIDE EACH PUBLIC ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, OR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THIS STATE SHALL DISPLAY IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN EACH CLASSROOM OF THE SCHOOL A POSTER OR FRAMED COPY OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS THAT MEETS CERTAIN SPECIFIED REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF SUCH POSTERS AND DONATIONS OF SURPLUS POSTERS.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA HANDS-FREE AND DISTRACTED DRIVING ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-3995 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CIRCUMSTANCES UPON WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO USE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES, TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DISTRACTED DRIVING, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-720, RELATING TO THE POINT SYSTEM ESTABLISHED AND THE SCHEDULE OF POINTS FOR VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE OF DISTRACTED DRIVING IS A TWO-POINT VIOLATION; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL ERECT SIGNS ADVISING MOTORISTS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; BY REPEALING SECTION 56-5-3890 RELATING TO OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE USING AN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE; TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHALL ISSUE WARNINGS FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT DURING THE NINETY-DAY PERIOD FOLLOWING ITS EFFECTIVE DATE; AND TO PROVIDE AT THE END OF EACH FISCAL YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL ISSUE A REPORT CONTAINING THE AGE, GENDER, AND RACE OF EVERY DRIVER ISSUED A CITATION.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CINDY K. FORE, THE UNION COUNTY VETERAN AFFAIRS SERVICE OFFICER, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-ONE YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE MIHAELA GUTU UPON BEING NAMED 2023-2024 GILBERT HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR, TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE TO SOUTH CAROLINA'S YOUTH, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF CHASE WYATT NEWMAN OF LUGOFF AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR RAHEEM ROBINSON OF WHITTEMORE PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CONWAY AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON BEING CHOSEN AS AN EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATOR BY CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HEATHER LEVINE OF GREEN SEA FLOYDS HIGH SCHOOL IN HORRY COUNTY AND TO CONGRATULATE HER UPON BEING CHOSEN AS AN EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATOR BY CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE MINNIE LEE BLATHERS GEORGE ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF BETTY BARBARA SINGLETARY LITTLE OF COLUMBIA, TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.