The bill H. 4663 proposes an amendment to Section 22-1-10 of the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding the appointment of magistrates. The key change mandates that, starting July 1, 2026, all individuals appointed as magistrates must be licensed attorneys in South Carolina. However, there is an exception for counties with populations under seventy-five thousand, where the magistrate can instead hold a four-year baccalaureate degree.

This amendment aims to ensure that magistrates possess a certain level of legal expertise, thereby enhancing the quality of judicial proceedings at the magistrate level. The bill is currently under consideration in the House Committee on Judiciary and will take effect upon receiving approval from the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/17/2025: 22-1-10
Latest Version: 22-1-10