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Bill

SC 513

Constitution; amend Section 26 to expand the jurisdiction of the state grand jury.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brice Wiggins

Proposal to expand the state grand jury's constitutional powers; broadens investigation and indictment scope, affecting prosecutors and courts. Died in committee.

Died In Committee
#constitution #judiciary #divisiona
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SC 513

Summary of SC 513 (2025)

SC 513 is a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to expand the jurisdiction of the state grand jury by amending Section 26 of the state constitution. The bill is currently classified as a concurrent resolution and has a status of “Died In Committee.”

Purpose and intent

  • To broaden the jurisdiction of the state grand jury by amending Section 26 of the state constitution.
  • The bill would establish the scope of the grand jury’s authority through a constitutional change. The exact nature and limits of the expansion are not specified in the provided text, so the precise areas affected would be defined in the amendment’s language.

Key provisions (high level)

  • Amend Section 26 of the state constitution to expand the jurisdiction of the state grand jury.
  • As a constitutional amendment proposed by a concurrent resolution, the measure would follow the state’s standard process for constitutional amendments (typically requiring passage by both legislative chambers and voter ratification). The precise text and operational details would be found in the amendment itself.

Legislative history and timeline

  • Introduced: January 20, 2025.
  • Referred to: Constitution; Judiciary, Division A (on January 20, 2025).
  • Actions:
    • 2025-02-04: Died In Committee.
    • 2025-01-20: Referred To Constitution;Judiciary, Division A.

Who/what would be affected

  • State grand jury operations and authorities, as defined by the amended Section 26.
  • State prosecutors, investigators, and agencies that rely on grand jury processes.
  • The judiciary and related procedural practices governing grand jury hearings and indictments.
  • If enacted, voters would ultimately approve or reject the constitutional change.

Potential impact (considerations)

  • Strengthening or redefining the grand jury’s investigative and/or indicting powers at the constitutional level.
  • Implications for checks and balances between grand jury authority and other branches of government.
  • Administrative and legal implications for prosecutorial processes, including indictment standards and procedures.
  • The absence of the exact amendment text means the specific expansion (e.g., types of offenses, scope of investigations, or procedural adjustments) cannot be detailed here.

Procedural notes and next steps

  • As a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, passage by both legislative chambers and voter approval would be required for the change to become law.
  • With the bill having died in committee, it would not advance in its current form. A revived or reintroduced version would follow the standard amendment process if sponsors choose to pursue it.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to the specific jurisdiction’s terminology or provide a side-by-side comparison with existing Section 26 language once the exact amendment text is available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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