A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-19-10, RELATING TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE APPOINTs THREE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND TO PROVIDE THAT NO MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION MAY SERVE FOR MORE THAN EIGHT CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 2-19-10(B) and (D) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Judicial Merit Selection Commission shall consist of the following individuals:

       (1) five members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and of these appointments:

           (a) three members must be serving members of the General Assembly; and

           (b) two members must be selected from the general public;

       (2) three five members, appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, President of the Senate and of these appointments:

           (a) three members who must be serving members of the Senate; and

       (3)(b) two members, appointed by the President of the Senate, who must be selected from the general public.

    (D) The term of office of a member of the commission who is not a member of the General Assembly shall be for four years subject to a right of removal at any time by the person appointing him, and until his successor is appointed and qualifies. A member of the commission who is a serving member of the General Assembly shall serve for the term of office to which he has been elected. No member of the commission may serve for more than eight consecutive years.

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----