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H4663 • 2026
Magistrates
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Magistrates
Introduced and read first time ( House Journal-page 49 )
Referred to Committee on Judiciary ( House Journal-page 49 )
Prefiled
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Magistrates
2025-2026 Bill 4663: Magistrates - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly 126th Session, 2025-2026 Download This Bill in Microsoft Word Format Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter H. 4663 STATUS INFORMATION General Bill Sponsors: Rep. Bustos Document Path: LC-0282HDB26.docx Introduced in the House on January 13, 2026 Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary Summary: Magistrates HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS Date Body Action Description with journal page number 12/16/2025 House Prefiled 12/16/2025 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary 1/13/2026 House Introduced and read first time ( House Journal-page 49 ) 1/13/2026 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary ( House Journal-page 49 ) View the latest legislative information at the website VERSIONS OF THIS BILL 12/17/2025 A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 22-1-10 , RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF MAGISTRATES, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT MAGISTRATES MUST BE LICENSED ATTORNEYS AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. B e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: S ECTION 1. S ection 22-1-10 (B)(2) of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: ( c) On and after July 1, 2026, no person is eligible for an initial appointment to hold the office of magistrate who is not at the time of his appointment: (i) a citizen of the United States and of this State, (ii) has not been a resident of this State for at least five years, (iii) has not attained the age of twenty-one years upon his appointment, and (iv) is not a licensed attorney in South Carolina. However, a county with a population of less than seventy-five thousand is exempt from the provisions of subsubitem (iv) and the magistrate must have received a four-year baccalaureate degree. S ECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 13, 2026 at 2:38 PM