Scored 5/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Total Control Bill
Governor gets total control over vetting state judges
JMSC Reform
Mixed: some good, some bad ·
This bill lets the governor appoint every member of the commission that screens judges, while banning the group from considering race or gender when picking candidates.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
Right now, South Carolina lawmakers have a lot of power over who becomes a judge, which can lead to conflicts of interest when those same lawmakers act as lawyers in court. This bill tries to fix that by kicking lawmakers off the vetting commission. However, it swings the pendulum all the way to the governor, giving them total control over who gets to screen judges. It also specifically bans the commission from considering diversity or demographics when reviewing judicial candidates, striking an old rule meant to prevent discrimination.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- Gives the governor the power to appoint all 12 members of the judicial vetting commission.
- Bans current lawmakers and their immediate families from serving on the commission to prevent conflicts of interest.
- Stops the commission from considering race, gender, religion, or any diversity criteria when vetting judges.
- Protects people from being sued or punished for the testimony they give to the commission.
- Requires written testimony for public hearings to be available to the public for free.
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the South Carolina Bill Book 2026
The best and worst South Carolina bills of 2026, one page each — our take on the left, the bill on the right, and room for your notes. No email needed.
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