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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 14-17-15 SO AS TO PROVIDE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNTY CLERK OF COURT, AND TO EXEMPT CURRENT OFFICEHOLDERS FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 30-5-13 SO AS TO PROVIDE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS, AND TO EXEMPT CURRENT OFFICEHOLDERS FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 17, Title 14 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 14-17-15. (A) A person is not eligible to hold the office of county clerk of court unless the person:
(1) is a resident of the county in which he is appointed or elected to hold the office for at least one year before the date on which he takes office;
(2) is at least twenty-one years of age on the date that he takes office; and
(3) has attained at least:
(a) a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning; or
(b) eight years of any combination of experience working in the office of a county clerk of court or related fields.
(B) A person who holds the office of clerk of court in a county vacates the office if he ceases to reside in that county.
(C) The provisions of subsection (A) do not apply to a person serving as a clerk of court on the effective date of this section for the remainder of his current term or any subsequent consecutive term."
SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Title 30 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 30-5-13. (A) A person is not eligible to hold the office of register of deeds unless the person:
(1) is a resident of the county in which he is appointed or elected to hold the office for at least one year before the date on which he takes office;
(2) is at least twenty-one years of age on the date that he takes office; and
(3) has attained at least:
(a) a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning; or
(b) eight years of any combination of experience working in the office of a register of deeds or related fields.
(B) A person who holds the office of register of deeds in a county vacates the office if he ceases to reside in that county.
(C) The provisions of subsection (A) do not apply to a person serving as a register of deeds on the effective date of this section for the remainder of his current term or any subsequent consecutive term."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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