Rep. WETMORE proposes the following amendment (LC-4755.AHB0004H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking the second sentence of Section 2-19-5(A) and striking Section 2-19-5(A) (1) and (2) and inserting:

  (3) four members appointed by the Governor all of which must be members in good standing of the South Carolina Bar with at least ten years' experience in the practice of law.
The commission shall be composed of twelve members who must be, appointed by the Governor, as followswho must be appointed based on the following recommendations:
  (1) eight members must be members of the South Carolina Bar in good standing;
  (2) no more than four members may be law enforcement professionals; and
  (1) two Circuit Solicitors, ex officio, or their designees, as recommended by the Commission on Prosecution Coordination;
  (2) one Circuit Public Defender, ex officio, or his designee, as recommended by the Commission on Indigent Defense;
  (3) one member recommended by the South Carolina Bar Association Criminal Law Section;
  (4) two members recommended by the South Carolina Bar Association Family Law Section;
  (5) one member recommended by the South Carolina Bar Association Construction Law Section;
  (6) one member recommended by the South Carolina Bar Association Corporate, Banking, and Insurance Section;
  (7) one member recommended by the South Carolina Bar Association Employment and Labor Law Section;
  (8) one member recommended by the South Carolina Bar Association Government Law Section;
  (9) one member recommended by the South Carolina Bar Association Torts and Insurance Practice Section; and
  (10) one member recommended by the South Carolina Bar Association Trial and Appellate Section.
  (3) no No individual currently holding a seat in the General Assembly of either chamber shall be eligible to serve on the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, nor shall their spouse, children, or siblings. Former members of the General Assembly must wait no fewer than two years before qualifying for selection by the Governor to the commission. Their spouse, children, or siblings must also wait no fewer than two years before qualifying following the member vacating their seat.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, Section 2-19-5, by adding a subsection to read:

 (H) If an entity with the responsibility to recommend a member of the commission to the Governor pursuant to the provisions of this section fails to make a recommendation within thirty days of notice of an opening or vacancy on the commission as provided by the Governor, the nomination must be made by the South Carolina Bar Association Executive Committee.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.