Legal Reform

Looking ahead: Constitutional amendment heads to November ballot

Recently, the South Carolina Legislature ratified S.1126, which would amend Article II, Section 4  of the state's constitution concerning voting requirements. The bill received unanimous approval in the House and near-unanimous support in the Senate, with just three dissenting votes.  

William Morton

Written by
July 18, 2024

  • Looking ahead: Constitutional amendment heads to November ballot

    Recently, the South Carolina Legislature ratified S.1126, which would amend Article II, Section 4  of the state's constitution concerning voting requirements. The bill received unanimous approval in the House and near-unanimous support in the Senate, with just three dissenting votes.  
    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

  • Judicial Reform Action Page

    NEW DASHBOARD A ONE-STOP SHOP TO LEARN ABOUT JUDICIAL REFORM PROGRESS, TAKE ACTION  Things can move quickly at the S.C. Statehouse, change on short notice, or come to a screeching halt without explanation. In any event, it’s our commitment at the South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC) to keep you informed...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    February 15, 2024

  • SC prosecutors give explosive testimony to House judicial study committee, back reform

    State prosecutors on Tuesday delivered explosive testimony to a House committee tasked with reviewing how South Carolina picks its judges, giving detailed accounts of actual or perceived favoritism, misbehavior and poor judgement they have witnessed or heard about. 
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    November 17, 2023

  • Bad for business: South Carolina must reform its unfair civil liability system

    South Carolina is at risk of seeing fewer jobs and less economic growth if the S.C. General Assembly fails to address and reform the state’s civil liability system, which forces businesses to unfairly pay legal claims for damages they did not cause. 
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    October 30, 2023

  • Impact: McMaster announces new judicial transparency policy

    In a letter to state senators, Gov. Henry McMaster announced new disclosure requirements for anyone seeking a magistrate judge position. Nominees will have to provide details on an updated application form about their finances and business affiliations, political contributions, judicial philosophies, conflicts of interest and other background information.  
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    October 23, 2023

  • Big updates on judicial reform as Nerve stories make waves

    This week, as The Nerve published hard-hitting stories exposing issues with S.C.’s magistrate judge system (read them here and here), two big developments on judicial reform made headlines.  
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    October 06, 2023