Judicial Salaries AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 14-1-200, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SALARIES OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AND COURT OF APPEALS, CIRCUIT COURT, AND FAMILY COURT JUDGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE A REVISED SALARY SCHEDULE FOR JUDGES. - RATIFIED TITLEView full text View Vote History View Fiscal Impact03/11/26Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 5)03/11/26Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 5)04/09/26Senate Committee report: Favorable Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 280)04/28/26Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 40)04/28/26Senate Roll call Ayes-39 Nays-4 (Senate Journal-page 40)04/29/26Senate Read third time and sent to House (Senate Journal-page 31)04/30/26House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 157)04/30/26House Referred to Committee on Ways and Means (House Journal-page 157)05/06/26House Committee report: Favorable Ways and Means (House Journal-page 10)05/12/26House Read second time (House Journal-page 78)05/12/26House Roll call Yeas-96 Nays-17 (House Journal-page 78)05/13/26House Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled (House Journal-page 22)05/14/26 Ratified R 16305/18/26 Signed By Governor06/05/26 Effective date 05/18/2606/02/26 Act No. 182
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill adjusts the salary schedule for judges in South Carolina. It increases the annual salary for family court judges to 95 percent of the salary for Supreme Court Associate Justices, while also making minor clarifying changes for circuit court and court of appeals judges. The changes are intended to provide revised salary levels for these judicial positions.
Key provisions
- Increases the salary for family court judges to 95% of the salary for Supreme Court Associate Justices.
- Adjusts salary percentages for court of appeals and circuit court judges.
- Makes clarifying changes to references regarding judges of the circuit court and judges of the court of appeals.
- The bill is contingent on an increase in the annual general appropriation act.
Who is affected
- South Carolina Judges (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Court, Family Court)
- The Judicial Branch of South Carolina
- State taxpayers (due to increased expenditures)
Notable changes
- Shifts the salary scale for family court judges closer to the salary of Supreme Court Justices.
- Provides clarifying language regarding salary structures for different court levels.
Fiscal impact
This bill will increase expenditures for the Judicial Branch by at least $675,000 beginning in FY 2026-27, primarily due to increased salaries for family court judges. It also has a potential impact on the Judicial Retirement System (JSRS) unfunded actuarial accrued liability and employer contribution rates.
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