# § 3008. Proceedings before United States magistrate judges
A district court of the United States may assign its duties in proceedings under this chapter to a United States magistrate judge to the extent not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States.
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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXVI, § 3611, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4937; amended Pub. L. 101–650, title III, § 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5117.)
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Change of Name
“United States magistrate judges” substituted for “United States magistrates” in catchline and “United States magistrate judge” substituted for “United States magistrate” in text pursuant to , set out as a note under .
### Effective Date
Section effective 180 days after , and applicable with respect to certain actions for debts owed the United States pending in court on that effective date, see , set out as a note under .