South CarolinaH 4805126th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 14-5-610, RELATING TO THE DIVISION OF THE STATE INTO SIXTEEN JUDICIAL CIRCUITS, THE NUMBER OF JUDGES TO BE ELECTED FROM EACH CIRCUIT, AND THE ELECTION OF AT-LARGE JUDGES WITHOUT REGARD TO COUNTY OR CIRCUIT OF RESIDENCE, SO AS TO CONVERT THREE AT-LARGE CIRCUIT COURT SEATS TO RESIDENT SEATS AND CREATE FOUR NEW JUDGESHIPS; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-3-40, RELATING TO THE NUMBER OF FAMILY COURT JUDGES TO BE ELECTED FROM EACH CIRCUIT, SO AS TO CONVERT FOUR AT-LARGE FAMILY COURT SEATS TO RESIDENT SEATS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 9-8-60, RELATING TO RETIREMENT OF JUDGES, SOLICITORS, AND CIRCUIT PUBLIC DEFENDERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE EIGHT YEARS OF EARNED SERVICE RATHER THAN TEN.

Sponsored By: Wm. Weston J. Newton (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Judicial Seats

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Retire sooner for judges, solicitors, defenders

The law lowers the earned service needed to retire from 10 years to 8 years. It applies to judges, solicitors, and circuit public defenders. Other age and credited service rules still apply under state law.

Four new circuit judges, funding required

The law creates four new Circuit Court judgeships. One new judge in the Fifth Circuit must live in Kershaw County. One new judge in the Tenth Circuit must live in Oconee County. The Sixth and Fifteenth Circuits each get one new judge. Nominations start for the Fifth and Tenth in 2027, and for the Sixth and Fifteenth in 2028. Nominations and elections begin only after the state budget funds these seats.

More resident circuit judges in 3 circuits

Beginning May 15, 2026, three at‑large Circuit Court seats become resident seats. At‑Large Seat 7 becomes First Circuit Seat 3; At‑Large Seat 1 becomes Third Circuit Seat 4; At‑Large Seat 4 becomes Eighth Circuit Seat 3. The sitting judge keeps serving without new screening until the current term ends.

More resident family judges in 3 circuits

Beginning May 15, 2026, four at‑large Family Court seats become resident seats. Seat 8 becomes Fifth Circuit Seat 5; Seat 4 becomes Fifth Circuit Seat 6; Seat 6 becomes Tenth Circuit Seat 4; Seat 3 becomes Twelfth Circuit Seat 4. The sitting judge keeps serving without new screening until the current term ends.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Wm. Weston J. Newton

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brandon Newton

    Republican • House

  • Cody T. Mitchell

    Republican • House

  • Christopher R. "Chris" Hart

    Democrat • House

  • Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope

    Republican • House

  • Robby Robbins

    Republican • House

  • Joseph S. "Joe" White

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 263 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/5/2026

(Judicial Seats)2nd Reading

Yes: 45 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

(Judicial Seats)Passage of Bill

Yes: 109 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

(Judicial Seats)Passage of Bill

Yes: 109 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act No. 154

    5/26/2026legislature
  2. Effective date 05/15/26

    5/26/2026legislature
  3. Signed By Governor

    5/15/2026Governor
  4. Ratified R 205

    5/14/2026legislature
  5. Read third time and enrolled

    5/6/2026Senate
  6. Roll call Ayes-45 Nays-0

    5/5/2026Senate
  7. Read second time

    5/5/2026Senate
  8. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

    4/7/2026Senate
  9. Introduced and read first time

    4/7/2026Senate
  10. Read third time and sent to Senate

    4/2/2026House
  11. Roll call Yeas-109 Nays-0

    4/1/2026House
  12. Read second time

    4/1/2026House
  13. Amended

    4/1/2026House
  14. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hart

    4/1/2026House
  15. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary

    3/31/2026House
  16. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Robbins

    3/31/2026House
  17. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: White

    1/20/2026House
  18. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

    1/13/2026House
  19. Introduced and read first time

    1/13/2026House
  20. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

    12/16/2025House
  21. Prefiled

    12/16/2025House

Bill Text

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