South Carolina Legislature


Judiciary Committee
Message from Chairman
Wm. Weston J. Newton
District 120, Beaufort County
As chair of the South Carolina House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the committee’s webpage.  Here you will find more information about the workings of the committee, which is one of the six standing committees in the House that vet legislation.  Its official name in the House Rules is the Committee on the Judiciary (Privileges and Elections).

The official name is important as House Rule 4.3 provides that committees have jurisdiction over matters pertaining to the subjects indicated by the names of the respective committees and the subject matter in parenthesis following the names.  As reflected in the materials on this webpage, many bills in the House are referred to the Judiciary Committee.  The diversity of topics addressed is indicated by the committee’s five subcommittees: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Special Laws; Constitutional Laws; Criminal Laws; General Laws; and Domestic Relations, Business, and Probate Law.

On behalf of my colleagues, thank you for your interest in the House Judiciary Committee.  Our meetings stream online and are archived on the General Assembly’s website for the public to view.  Your input is always welcome at [email protected] as many good ideas compete for limited legislative time for review.

Sincerely,

Wm. Weston J. Newton
Committee Staff
  • Kate Crater - Chief Counsel
  • James "Jimmy" Hinson - Deputy Chief Counsel
  • Truxtun Umsted - Asst. Legal Counsel
  • Teague McQueen - Exec. Asst.
Contact Information
Post Office Box 11867
Columbia, South Carolina 29211
Room 512 Blatt Building
Telephone: (803) 734-3120

Scheduled Meetings as of 02/07/2026 09:44am EST
    Tuesday, February 10
  • 10:30 am -- Blatt Room 516 -- Judiciary Domestic Relations, Business & Probate Laws Subcommittee on 3013, 4270
    REVISIONS:
    Meeting added on 06/02/2026 at 02:05pm
    Scheduled for Live Broadcast on 06/02/2026 at 03:05pm
  • 1:30 pm or 30 Minutes after adjournment of the House, whichever is later -- Blatt Room 516 -- Judiciary General Laws Subcommittee on 3857, 4001, 5017
    REVISIONS:
    Meeting added on 06/02/2026 at 10:30am
    Scheduled for Live Broadcast on 06/02/2026 at 10:34am
    Wednesday, February 11
  • 9:00 am -- Blatt Room 516 -- Judiciary Criminal Laws Subcommittee on 4151, 5117, 5120, 5121
    REVISIONS:
    Meeting added on 06/02/2026 at 04:52pm

Video Archives

MembersSubcommitteesRedistrictingAd Hoc Committee
Ad Hoc Committee to investigate whether the Comptroller General has committed acts in office rising to the level that action should be taken under Article XV of the South Carolina Constitution. This review may include but is not limited to consideration of H.4068.

Information older than two years has been moved to the House Judiciary Committee Archives page.



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