SOUTH CAROLINA REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE
S
TATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT
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This fiscal impact statement is produced in compliance with the South Carolina Code of Laws and House and Senate rules. The focus of
the analysis is on governmental expenditure and revenue impacts and may not provide a comprehensive summary of the legislation.
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H. 3521
Fiscal Impact Summary
This bill creates two new family court judge seats in the eleventh circuit, increasing the number
of family court judges in the eleventh circuit from three to five. The nomination process for these
judges may not begin until funding for these additional judges is appropriated.
Judicial anticipates this bill will result in an increase in General Fund expenditures of $1,200,000
and 6.0 new FTEs beginning in the year in which the General Assembly appropriates funding for
the additional judges. This includes two family court judges, with a salary for each of $211,849
and fringe of $154,711, two administrative assistants, with a salary for each of $44,000 and
fringe of $20,240; and two court reporters, with a salary for each of $70,000 and fringe of
$32,200. The remaining $134,000 will be used for supplies, monthly allowances for the judges,
and other general operating costs.
Explanation of Fiscal Impact
Introduced on January 14, 2025
State Expenditure
This bill creates two new family court judge seats in the eleventh circuit, increasing the number
of family court judges in the eleventh circuit from three to five. The nomination process for these
judges may not begin until funding for these additional judges is appropriated.
Judicial anticipates the need for 6.0 additional FTEs due to this bill. This includes two family
court judges, with a salary for each of $211,849 and fringe of $154,711, two administrative
assistants, with a salary for each of $44,000 and fringe of $20,240; and two court reporters, with
a salary for each of $70,000 and fringe of $32,200, totaling $1,066,000 annually. The remaining
$134,000 will be used for supplies, monthly allowances for the judges, and other general
operating costs. Therefore, this bill will result in an increase in General Fund expenditures of
$1,200,000 annually beginning in the year in which the General Assembly appropriates funding
for the additional judges. Judicial will request a General Fund appropriation increase to cover
these expenses.
State Revenue
N/A
Bill Number: H. 3521 Introduced on Januar
y 14, 2025
Subject: Famil y Court Judges, Additional
Requestor: House Judiciary
RFA Analyst(s): Boggs
Impact Date: January 31, 2025
__________________________________
Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director
DISCLAIMER: THIS FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT REPRESENTS THE OPINION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE
AGENCY OFFICIAL WHO APPROVED AND SIGNED THIS DOCUMENT. IT IS PROVIDED AS INFORMATION TO
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN EXPRESSION OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT.
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H. 3521
Local Expenditure
N/A
Local Revenue
N/A