SC H4667

Increases civil jurisdiction of magistrates courts from $7,500 to $74,500 for contract disputes, property damage claims, penalties, attachments, surety bonds, confessions of judgment, fraud claims, personal property recovery, counterclaims, and real estate earnest money interpleader actions

Raises the exception for state-party civil actions involving penalties from $100 to $1,500

Doubles the assessment on summons and complaint filings in magistrates court from $25 to $50, with funds remitted to the judicial department

Allows appellate courts to declare a magistrate "absent" and proceed accordingly if the magistrate fails to comply with statutory requirements for making returns to the appellate court (Sections 18-7-60, 18-7-70, or 18-7-80)