2005-2006 Bill 4618: Judicial Circuits - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly

116th Session, 2005-2006

H. 4618

STATUS INFORMATION

Concurrent Resolution

Sponsors: Reps. Vaughn, CobbHunter, Hosey, Govan, Altman, Clyburn, Huggins, Jefferson, Leach, Loftis, E.H.Pitts, M.A.Pitts, J.R.Smith, Taylor and Young

Document Path: l:\council\bills\ms\7120ahb06.doc

Companion/Similar bill(s): 1121

Introduced in the House on February 8, 2006

Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary

Summary: Judicial circuits

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

DateBodyAction Description with journal page number

2/8/2006HouseIntroduced HJ7

2/8/2006HouseReferred to Committee on JudiciaryHJ7

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

2/8/2006

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO ESTABLISH A STUDY COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF REAPPORTIONMENT OF THE SIXTEEN JUDICIAL CIRCUITS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MAKEUP OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE, AND TO DIRECT THE STUDY COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE CHANGES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY FEBRUARY 15, 2007.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly recognize the drastic backlog of cases in the circuit courts of the State and the pressing need to address the issue; and

Whereas, with State funding limited, financial roadblocks interfere with the General Assembly’s ability to provide for additional judges, solicitors, and other crucial court personnel needed to completely alleviate the case backlog; and

Whereas, the present judicial circuit system has not been altered in many years despite fundamental changes in population and unprecedented growth in many counties which make up the individual judicial circuits; and

Whereas, as it is often stated that justice delayed is justice denied, it is appropriate for the members of the General Assembly to study whether reapportioning the sixteen judicial circuits could have a significant positive impact on the court system in the State; and

Whereas, the study committee must be comprised of five members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore, and five members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, and the study committee shall report its findings and make its recommendations to the General Assembly by February 15, 2007. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, establish a study committee to examine the issue of reapportionment of the sixteen judicial circuits, provide for the makeup of the study committee, and direct the study committee to recommend appropriate changes to the General Assembly by February 15, 2007.

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