A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT increasing the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges of the General Court of Justice and for magistrates from age 72 to age 75.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 7A‑4.20 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A‑4.20.  Age limit for service as justice or judge: exception.
No justice or judge of the General Court of Justice may continue in office beyond the last day of the month in which the justice or judge attains 75 years of age, but justices and judges so retired may be recalled for periods of temporary service as provided in Subchapters II and III of this chapter."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 7A‑170 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A‑170.  Nature of office and oath; age limit for service.
(a)	A magistrate is an officer of the district court. Before entering upon the duties of the office, a magistrate shall take the oath of office prescribed for a magistrate of the General Court of Justice. A magistrate possesses all the powers of the office at all times during the magistrate's term.
(b)	No magistrate may continue in office beyond the last day of the month in which the magistrate reaches the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges of the General Court of Justice specified in G.S. 7A‑4.20."
SECTION 3.  G.S. 135‑57(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Any member who is a justice or judge of the General Court of Justice shall be automatically retired upon attainment of the mandatory retirement age specified in G.S. 7A‑4.20."
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2021, and applies to justices, judges, and magistrates holding office or elected or appointed on or after that date.