SC H4668

Requires magistrate candidates to be reviewed by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission upon vacancies, with the commission forwarding qualification reports to the Senate and Governor before appointment; candidates found not qualified cannot be appointed

Defines magistrate vacancies as occurring when a term expires, a new position is created, or a magistrate can no longer serve due to resignation, retirement, disciplinary action, disability, or death

Increases civil jurisdiction of magistrates court from $7,500 to $15,000 for contract actions, property damage claims, penalties/fines, attachments, bonds, fraud cases, personal property recovery, counterclaims, earnest money disputes, and lease violations

Requires each county to employ at least one licensed attorney in good standing to support magistrates' courts

Counties with populations exceeding 90,000 must provide two or more licensed attorneys as personnel for magistrates' courts