Bill Text: SC S0394 | 2011-2012 | 119th General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Master-in-equity
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-04-13 - Referred to Committee on Judiciary [S0394 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2011-S0394-Comm_Sub.html
COMMITTEE REPORT
April 6, 2011
S. 394
S. Printed 4/6/11--S.
Read the first time January 19, 2011.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 394) to amend Section 14-11-10, South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, relating to the establishment of the master-in-equity court, so as to permit, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
GLENN F. McCONNELL for Committee.
EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact on the General Fund of the State or on federal and/or other funds.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMPACT:
This bill is permissive in nature and does expand the requirement for county master-in-equity courts. A Circuit Court Judge's annual salary is $130,312 excluding fringe benefits. Seventy five percent of a Circuit Court Judge's salary including fringe benefits is estimated at $123,290. Fifty-five percent of a Circuit Court Judge's salary including fringe benefits is estimated at $91,740. These figures exclude court operating costs.
Approved By:
Harry Bell
Office of State Budget
A BILL
TO AMEND SECTION 14-11-10, SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS, 1976, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MASTER-IN-EQUITY COURT, SO AS TO PERMIT A COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF MORE THAN THIRTY THOUSAND BUT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND TO HAVE A PART-TIME OR A FULL-TIME MASTER-IN-EQUITY AS DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE COUNTY OR COUNTIES IN WHICH THE A MASTER-IN-EQUITY SERVES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 14-11-30, RELATING TO THE COMPENSATION OF MASTER-IN-EQUITY, SO AS TO ALLOW A PART-TIME MASTER-IN-EQUITY IN CITIES OR COUNTIES WITH POPULATIONS OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND OR GREATER.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 14-11-10 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act No. 678, is amended to read:
"Section 14-11-10. As a part of the unified judicial system, there is established in each of the counties of this State having a population of at least one hundred thirty thousand, according to the latest official United States Decennial Census, a master-in-equity court. The master-in-equity for the court must be appointed pursuant to the provisions of Section 14-11-20. Nothing in this section prohibits a county or area with a population of more than thirty thousand but less than one hundred fifty thousand, according to the latest official United States Decennial Census, from having a part time or a full-time master in equity, as determined by the governing body of the county or counties in which a master in equity serves. Nothing in this section prohibits a county or area with a population of less than one hundred thirty thousand, according to the latest official United States Decennial Census, from having a part-time master-in-equity. The governing bodies of any two or more counties may join together to fund the office of master-in-equity to serve two or more counties. Funding of this master-in-equity must be borne by each county included on a per capita population basis."
SECTION 2. Section 14-11-30(6) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act No. 678, is amended to read:
"(6) Where the area served has a population of between one hundred thirty thousand and one hundred forty nine thousand, nine hundred ninety nine, according to the latest official United States Decennial Census, the master-in-equity serving that area is may be part-time or full-time, as determined by the governing body of the county or counties in which a master-in-equity serves, and must be paid a salary equal to between fifty-five percent and seventy-five percent of that of a circuit judge if part time, and equal to seventy five percent of that of a circuit judge if full time."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
