# South Carolina S 0696: 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.

South Carolina S 0696, 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., is a 126th General Assembly (2025-2026) Senate bill sponsored by Wes Climer (Republican); status failed, last action 2026-01-13 (Referred to Committee on Judiciary) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0696-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: South Carolina S 0696
- State: South Carolina
- Session: 126th General Assembly (2025-2026)
- Title: 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.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-12-10
- Last action: 2026-01-13, Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- Sponsor: Wes Climer (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 14
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

JMSC Reform

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Wes Climer (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Sean M. Bennett (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: JD Chaplin (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Tom Davis (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Tom Fernandez (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stephen L. Goldfinch (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Michael Johnson (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Carlisle Kennedy (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Josh Kimbrell (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Harvey S. Peeler, Jr. (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Mike Reichenbach (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Rex F. Rice (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Everett Stubbs (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Ross Turner (Republican), Senate

## Actions (4)

- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Introduced and read first time (Senate)
- 2025-12-10: Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate)
- 2025-12-10: Prefiled (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [HTML](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/696.htm)

## Related bills

- S 0623: AN ACT TO EXEMPT GEORGETOWN COUNTY FROM CERTAIN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS AND TO ALLOW THE COUNTY TO INSTEAD ENFORCE AE STANDARDS IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY'S FLOOD DAMA… (became law)
- S 0586: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 172 OF 1995, RELATING TO THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATIO… (signed)
- H 5653: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 843 OF 1952, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE METHOD BY WHICH PERSONS FILE TO BECOME A CANDI… (signed)
- S 1062: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO DETERMINATION OF RATES OF TUITION AND FEES, DESIGNATED AS RE… (signed)
- S 0779: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL RECEIVE A MONTHLY LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS; TO PROVID… (signed)
- H 5261: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 3, TITLE 61 TO MAY 1, 2026. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/696.htm)

## Related
- [S 0623: AN ACT TO EXEMPT GEORGETOWN COUNTY FROM CERTAIN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS AND TO AL…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0623-2025-2026)
- [S 0586: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 172 OF 1995, RELATING TO THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0586-2025-2026)
- [H 5653: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 843 OF 1952, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LEE COUNTY BOARD O…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-H5653-2025-2026)
- [S 1062: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDU…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S1062-2025-2026)
- [S 0779: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL RE…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0779-2025-2026)
- [H 5261: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-H5261-2025-2026)
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- [South Carolina state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/south-carolina)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0696-2025-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).