1. In any county in which the appointment of masters by a justice court is authorized by the board of county commissioners, the local rules of practice adopted in a justice court within the county may authorize the appointment of one or more masters to perform certain duties that the Supreme Court has approved. If the justice court elects to appoint a master or masters, the local rules of practice adopted in that court must set forth the selection process for choosing a master.

2. A master appointed pursuant to subsection 1 must possess qualifications that are equal to or greater than the qualifications required of the justice of the peace for the township in which the master is appointed as set forth in NRS 4.010.

3. The Supreme Court shall provide by rule for a course of instruction in the elements of substantive law relating to the duties of any master appointed pursuant to subsection 1. A master appointed pursuant to subsection 1 may not perform any duties of a master until he or she has completed the course of instruction described in this subsection.

4. A master appointed pursuant to subsection 1 may not preside over:

(a) Any trial for a misdemeanor constituting:

(1) An act of domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018; or

(2) A violation of NRS 484B.657, 484C.110 or 484C.120; or

(b) Any preliminary hearing for a gross misdemeanor or felony.

5. A person appointed as a master must take and subscribe to the official oath before acting as a master.

6. A master is entitled to receive a salary or a per diem salary set by the board of county commissioners. The annual sum expended for salaries of masters must not exceed the amount budgeted for those expenses by the board of county commissioners.

(Added to NRS by 2009, 512)