McMaster: South Carolina ‘Must Have Judicial Reform’

Henry McMaster

A legislative conference committee will soon hash out differences in a measure to reform South Carolina’s Judicial Merit Selection Commission.

Last week, the South Carolina House passed S. 1046, a bill reforming the JMSC, following the state Senate’s passage.

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Republican South Carolina Senate Committee Passes Hate Crime Legislation

South Carolina Judiciary Committee

The Republican led South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee passed hate crime legislation Wednesday, which will advance to the Senate floor for a full vote.

“When a person commits a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60 or commits assault by mob in the second degree as defined in Section 16-3-210(C) and the trier of fact determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the offense was committed against a victim who was intentionally selected in whole or in part because of the person’s belief or perception regarding the victim’s race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability, whether or not the perception is correct, the person is subject to additional penalties…” says the text of S.615. 

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South Carolina House Passes Clean Constitutional Carry Bill

The South Carolina House advanced a clean Constitutional Carry bill, returning the measure to the state Senate and potentially setting up another showdown.

The state House rejected a Senate-amended version of H.3594, the South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2023. In a letter, the head of a pro-gun rights group said Senate-introduced amendments violate the Second Amendment.

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