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South Carolina · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill

S 696: JMSC Reform

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

S 696 is a bill introduced in the South Carolina Senate on December 10, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: JMSC Reform. Primary sponsor: Wes Climer (Republican), Stephen Goldfinch (Republican), Michael Johnson (Republican), Everett Stubbs (Republican), Rex Rice (Republican), Ross Turner (Republican), Josh Kimbrell (Republican), Carlisle Kennedy (Republican), J.D. Chaplin (Republican), Larry Grooms (Republican), Sean Bennett (Republican), Tom Fernandez (Republican), Tom Davis (Republican), Harvey Peeler (Republican), Mike Reichenbach (Republican). Most recent recorded action (January 13, 2026): Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-5, RELATING TO SOUTH CAROLINA JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION CREATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT THE COMMISSION BE COMPOSED OF TWELVE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-20, RELATING TO INVESTIGATION BY THE COMMISSION AND PUBLICATION OF VACANCIES, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT ANY STATE AGENCY MUST COOPERATE WITH THE COMMISSION'S REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-30, RELATING TO HEARINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSION, SO AS TO REQUIRE WRITTEN TESTIMONY FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED HEARING AND COPIES OF WRITTEN AND SPOKEN TESTIMONY BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-35, RELATING TO CRITERIA FOR INVESTIGATIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMISSION, SO AS TO OMIT RACE, GENDER, SEX, SEXUAL PREFERENCE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, INTERSECTIONAL IDENTIFIERS, ANY DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CRITERA, PHILOSOPHY, OR FRAMEWORKS FROM BEING CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSION WHEN MAKING NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-50, RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS, INFORMATION, AND OTHER MATERIAL, SO AS TO EXCLUDE RECORDS HELD BY THE COMMISSION NOT PREVIOUSLY OR OTHERWISE CONFIDENTIAL FROM BEING KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-60, RELATING TO POWERS OF THE COMMISSION, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT THE COMMISSION MAY CARRY OUT ITS DUTIES STRICTLY IN SELECTING AND VETTING VIABLE CANDIDATES AND THAT NO INDIVIDUAL MAY BE PROSECUTED OR SUBJECTED TO PUNISHMENT, FORFEITURE, CRIMINAL, OR CIVIL PENALTY BASED UPON TESTIMONY SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-70, RELATING TO PROHIBITION AGAINST DUAL OFFICES, PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR, AND PLEDGES, SO AS TO PROHIBIT FLOOR PRIVILEGES TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS OF CANDIDATES WHILE THE CANDIDATE'S APPLICATION IS UNDER REVIEW BY THE COMMISSION.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 15

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Wes ClimerPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate15
Stephen GoldfinchPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate34
Michael JohnsonPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate16
Everett StubbsPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate17
Rex RicePrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate2
Ross TurnerPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate8
Josh KimbrellPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate11
Carlisle KennedyPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate23
J.D. ChaplinPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate29
Larry GroomsPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate37
Sean BennettPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate38
Tom FernandezPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate39
Tom DavisPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate46
Harvey PeelerPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate14
Mike ReichenbachPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate31

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Referred to Committee on Judiciary
  2. Introduced and read first time
  3. Referred to Committee on Judiciary
  4. Prefiled

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source