Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

January 28, 2026

 

S. 336

 

Introduced by Senators Alexander, Massey and Rankin

 

S. Printed 1/28/26--H.

Read the first time March 27, 2025

 

________

 

The committee on House Judiciary

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 336) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 2-19-90, relating to approval of the General Assembly in joint session, so as to set the first Wednesday, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

W. NEWTON for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

 

State Expenditure

This bill specifies that the General Assembly must meet in joint session on the first Wednesday of March for the election of judges. Currently, the date and time for the joint session is set by concurrent resolution upon the recommendation of the Judicial Merit Selection Committee.

 

The Senate and the House of Representatives indicate that the bill requires duties that can be conducted during the normal course of business. Therefore, this bill will have no expenditure impact on either legislative body.

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-90, RELATING TO APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION, SO AS TO SET THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF March FOR THE ELECTIONS OF JUDGES BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 2-19-90 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 2-19-90. The General Assembly shall meet in joint session for the election of judges on the first Wednesday of March at noon in the House of Representatives.  The date and time for the joint session shall be set by concurrent resolution upon the recommendation of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission.  The Chairman of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission shall announce the commission's nominees for each judicial race, and no further nominating or seconding speeches shall be allowed by members of the General Assembly.  In order to be elected, a candidate must receive a majority of the vote of the members of the General Assembly voting in joint session.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 2-19-80(E) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (E) A period of at least twenty-two days must elapse between the date of the commission's nominations to the General Assembly and The commission must formally release its report as to the qualifications of its nominees to the General Assembly not less than twenty-three days before the date the General Assembly conducts the election for these judgeships.

 

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

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