Legal Reform

  • Where SC’s Attorney General candidates stand on judicial reform

    A recent poll from the South Carolina Policy Council found that 58% of voters support reforming the Judicial Merit Selection Commission (JMSC). Currently, Legislators exert significant influence over the selection process due to their outsized control of the JMSC.  A bill making its way through the legislature would give the...
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    March 30, 2026

  • Judicial reform gathering momentum at the Statehouse

    Two very important legislative proposals that would make substantial changes to the judiciary are working their way through the Statehouse.    Both bills – H. 3530 (magistrate reforms) and H. 4755 (Judicial Merit Selection Commission reforms) – originated in the House. 
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    March 16, 2026

  • Cutting the weeds: Reining in bureaucracy

    Small business is the backbone of South Carolina’s economy.  They, along with their employees and consumers, are increasingly burdened by a plethora of regulation and red tape.   According to a study done by the National Association of Manufacturers, federal government regulations alone can cost businesses across the country upwards of $12,000 per employee.  Some regulations may be necessary, however with the combination of...
    Ethan Brawer

    Written by
    December 04, 2025

  • Will lawmakers move on liquor liability reform?

    Update 5/8/2025: In the final week of session, lawmakers reached an compromise on joint and several liability as it relates to liquor liability. The agreement focuses solely on liquor liability reform like SCPC recommended, aiming to provide direct relief to an industry in turmoil. This legislation is a great start—but...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    April 25, 2025

  • Analysis: South Carolina’s unfair civil liability system

    The civil liability system in South Carolina is placing an unfair burden on small and medium-sized businesses. This issue has been a focal point of legislative discussions for several years, though reform legislation died in the Senate in 2024. 
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    February 21, 2025

  • Looking ahead: Constitutional amendment heads to November ballot

    Update 10/24/2024: The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows:  "Must Section 4, Article II of the Constitution of this State, relating to voter qualifications, be amended so as to provide that only a citizen of the United States and of this State of the age of eighteen...
    William Morton

    Written by
    July 18, 2024

  • Judicial selections bill passes unanimously! (special session recap)

    On Wednesday, S.C. lawmakers met in Columbia for what is likely the last day of the 2024 legislative session, sending the new state budget, a bill enhancing the judicial selection process, and other items passed out of conference committee to the governor’s desk.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    June 29, 2024

  • What to know about SC's looming special session

    Longtime observers of our state Legislature know that special sessions are common in South Carolina. Typically, they involve finalizing the state budget and pushing conference bills across the finish line. However, after the surprise defeat of a contentious healthcare restructuring measure and with state leaders pushing for its revival, legislative...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    May 31, 2024

  • SCPC, SCPIF respond to Commerce’s spin on Scout ethics complaint

    MEDIA RELEASE May 16, 2024 The following is a joint statement issued by the South Carolina Policy Council and South Carolina Public Interest Foundation in response to a recent opinion column submitted by S.C. Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey to at least two news outlets in the state:
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    May 16, 2024

  • SC taxpayers asked to fund new liquor liability insurance program

    Update 2/28/24: Following this report, which revealed that H.5066 would create a state-run liquor liability insurance program funded with taxpayers' money, the House Judiciary Committee voted to remove that section of the bill. The amended bill, advanced by the full committee Tuesday, would still reduce the $1 million liquor liability insurance...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    February 24, 2024