One fourth of all fees collected by the bar admissions office, to include bar application or reinstatement fees, shall be remitted by the Judicial Department to the General Fund of the State of South Carolina; provided, however, the amount remitted to the General Fund in any fiscal year shall not exceed the amount remitted in Fiscal Year 2002-2003. The remaining portion shall be deposited by the Judicial Department in an escrow account to be held by the State Treasurer, and shall be used for expenses incurred by the bar admissions office, the Committee on Character and Fitness and the Board of Law Examiners, and for such other expenses of the Judicial Department as the Chief Justice may direct.

Amended by Order dated December 17, 2003, effective immediately.