Magistrate reform
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends South Carolina’s code to revise the education requirements for magistrates. Specifically, it raises the educational qualifications needed for appointment, requiring either a two-year associate degree, a four-year bachelor’s degree, or a Juris Doctor degree, starting in 2026. The bill also modifies the screening committee for magistrate appointments, allowing for the inclusion of House delegation members and county residents.
Key provisions
- Raises the educational requirements for magistrate appointments to include an associate, bachelor’s, or Juris Doctor degree.
- Specifies the effective date for the new educational requirements as July 1, 2026.
- Allows House delegation members to serve on the screening committee for magistrate appointments.
- Permits residents of the county to serve on the screening committee.
- Addresses the composition of the screening committee in counties with fewer than five House delegation members, requiring at least three public members.
- Modifies Section 22-1-10 to clarify eligibility requirements for magistrates.
- Modifies Section 22-2-10 to allow for public and House delegation member participation in the screening committee.
Who is affected
- Magistrates
- Potential magistrates
- House delegation members
- County residents
- The South Carolina judicial system
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours