House amends magistrates fees to dedicate modest increases to local magistrate courts

The South Carolina House on Thursday adopted an amendment directing that modest increases in magistrates' court fines and fees be used to supplement — not supplant — existing resources for magistrates' courts.

Representative Scott Pope, explaining the amendment, said the chief justice and magistrates sought modest fee increases to support facilities, personnel and system upgrades. "This is about fines and fees within the magistrates court... they're fairly moderate increases, like a $5 fee going to a $10 fee," Pope said, adding that the change would ensure generated revenue is dedicated to the magistrate system and take effect January 27.

Members asked how the funds would be used and whether the increases were significant; Pope said the requests were modest and intended to improve access to justice. Representative Robbins, who said he is frequently in magistrate court, urged adoption on the ground that the courts are “inundated with work” and need staff and system upgrades.

The amendment was adopted during consideration of House Bill 48‑13 and the House recorded a tabulation (reported in the transcript) that led to the bill being amended and advanced on second reading. A later roll call recorded the bill as amended by a vote of 99 to 10.

What changed and why it matters: Supporters say dedicating modest fee increases to magistrates' courts will fund needed personnel and facility upgrades in the state's “people's courts.” Critics cautioned about tying fines to court funding and urged careful oversight.

Next steps: The bill was amended on the floor and advanced to second reading; additional legislative steps will be determined by the House calendar.