MAGISTRATES.

SEC. 308. MAGISTRATES. (a) Consent to Trial in Civil Actions.— Section 636(c)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the first sentence, by striking out “their right to consent to the exercise of” and inserting in lieu thereof “the availability of a magistrate to exercise”; and (2) by striking out the third sentence and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Thereafter, either the district court judge or the magistrate may again advise the parties of the availability of the magistrate, but in so doing, shall also advise the parties that they are free to withhold consent without adverse substantive consequences.”. (b) Extension of Terms of Office of Magistrates.— Section 631(f) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking out “60” and inserting in lieu thereof “180”.