South Carolina 126th General Assembly Status: Introduced

S 1140 — A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 14-23-1040, RELATING TO THE QUALIFICATIONS OF PROBATE JUDGES TO HOLD THE OFFICE, SO AS TO REVISE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON IS ELIGIBLE TO THE HOLD THE OFFICE OF PROBATE JUDGE WHO IS NOT A LICENSED ATTORNEY IN GOOD STANDING OR WHO HAS TEN YEARS' EXPERIENCE AS AN EMPLOYEE IN A PROBATE JUDGE'S OFFICE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 14-23-1100, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF CLERKS OF THE PROBATE COURTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR CLERKS OF THE PROBATE COURTS.

Last action — Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 6)

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced April 22, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Prognosis

Not enough signal yet

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

Not enough signal yet to read this bill's trajectory — we surface a likelihood only once there's real movement (stage, sponsorship, committee, or votes) to point to.

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Summary

Probate Courts

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

2 changes Share ↗

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The bill revises the qualifications for probate judges and introduces continuing education requirements for clerks of the probate courts.

  • Section 14-23-1040

    has not received a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary institution or if he has received no degree he must have → is not a licensed attorney in good standing in this State or has fourteen years' experience as an employee in a probate judge's office in this State.

    It removes the requirement for a four-year degree and instead requires a licensed attorney or significant experience in a probate office.

  • Section 14-23-1100

    Each clerk shall complete six hours of mandatory continuing education specific to the probate court by December thirty-first each year.

    It establishes a mandatory continuing education requirement for clerks to maintain their proficiency in probate matters.

Action History

  1. Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 6)

  2. Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 6)

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 169 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (169)

169 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights education
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 1140 do?
Probate Courts
Who sponsors S 1140?
S 1140 is sponsored by Senator Tameika Isaac Devine.
What is the current status of S 1140?
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced April 22, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S 1140?
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Last checked for changes 4 months ago · updated continuously

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