Appointments

2025-2026 Bill 922: Appointments - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
S. 922
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Massey, Alexander, Hutto, Campsen, Leber and Kimbrell
Document Path: SR-0105CEM26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on February 11, 2026
Introduced in the House on March 26, 2026
Last Amended on May 14, 2026

Currently residing in the House
Summary: Appointments
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

2/11/2026

Senate

Introduced and read first time (
Senate Journal-page 7
)

2/11/2026

Senate

Referred to Committee on
Judiciary
(
Senate Journal-page 7
)

2/12/2026

Scrivener's error corrected

3/11/2026

Senate

Committee report: Favorable with amendment
Judiciary
(
Senate Journal-page 9
)

3/12/2026

Scrivener's error corrected

3/17/2026

Senate

Committee Amendment Adopted (
Senate Journal-page 30
)

3/17/2026

Senate

Amended (
Senate Journal-page 30
)

3/17/2026

Senate

Read second time (
Senate Journal-page 30
)

3/17/2026

Senate

Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0 (
Senate Journal-page 30
)

3/24/2026

Senate

Amended (
Senate Journal-page 12
)

3/24/2026

Senate

Read third time and sent to House (
Senate Journal-page 12
)

3/24/2026

Senate

Roll call Ayes-32 Nays-11 (
Senate Journal-page 12
)

3/26/2026

House

Introduced and read first time (
House Journal-page 25
)

3/26/2026

House

Referred to Committee on
Judiciary
(
House Journal-page 25
)

5/6/2026

House

Committee report: Favorable with amendment
Judiciary
(
House Journal-page 12
)

5/12/2026

House

Debate adjourned (
House Journal-page 83
)

5/13/2026

House

Amended (
House Journal-page 220
)

5/13/2026

House

Read second time (
House Journal-page 220
)

5/13/2026

House

Roll call Yeas-106 Nays-0 (
House Journal-page 226
)

5/14/2026

House

Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments (
House Journal-page 7
)

5/14/2026

Senate

House amendment amended (
Senate Journal-page 63
)

5/14/2026

Senate

Returned to House (
Senate Journal-page 63
)

5/14/2026

Senate

Recalled from House (
Senate Journal-page 87
)

5/14/2026

Senate

Amended (
Senate Journal-page 87
)

5/15/2026

Senate

Returned to House (
Senate Journal-page 87
)

5/15/2026

House

Debate adjourned (
House Journal-page 9
)

5/18/2026

House

Debate adjourned (
House Journal-page 6
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
02/11/2026
02/12/2026
03/11/2026
03/12/2026
03/17/2026
03/24/2026
05/06/2026
05/13/2026
05/14/2026

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Amended

May 14, 2026

S. 922

Introduced by Senators Massey, Alexander, Hutto,
Campsen, Leber and Kimbrell

S. Printed 5/14/26--S.

Read the first time February 11, 2026

________

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

<<section info>>

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

_______

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING
SECTION
1-3-210
, RELATING TO FILLING VACANCIES WHEN THE SENATE IS NOT IN
SESSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR WHEN THE GOVERNOR MAY MAKE AN INTERIM
APPOINTMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION
7-3-10
, RELATING TO THE STATE ELECTION
COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION SHALL
BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY
ADDING SECTION
1-30-12
SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CABINET MEMBERS WILL SERVE
COTERMINOUS WITH THE GOVERNOR THAT APPOINTS THEM; BY AMENDING SECTION
1-13-40
,
RELATING TO THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN AFFAIRS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND
CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
1-15-10
, RELATING TO THE COMMISSION
ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE;
BY AMENDING SECTION
1-31-10
, RELATING TO THE COMMISSION FOR COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE
SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
6-19-30
, RELATING TO THE COMMISSION FOR COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING
SECTION
13-1-370
, RELATING TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE DIVISION OF STATE
DEVELOPMENT, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING
SECTION
13-19-10
, RELATING TO THE MIDLANDS AUTHORITY, SO AS TO REMOVE THE
ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
13-21-10
, RELATING TO THE
EDISTO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE
SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
25-21-20
, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE
VETERANS' TRUST FUND, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY
AMENDING SECTION
38-89-160
, RELATING TO THE DAY CARE JOINT UNDERWRITING
ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE
SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-7-10
, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF BARBER EXAMINERS,
SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-13-10
, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND
CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-20-40
, RELATING TO THE PANEL FOR
DIETETICS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING
SECTION
40-30-40
, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY, SO AS TO REMOVE THE
ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-35-10
, RELATING TO THE
BOARD OF LONG TERM HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATORS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND
CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-47-11
, RELATING TO THE MEDICAL
DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE;
BY AMENDING SECTION
40-51-30
, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF PODIATRY EXAMINERS, SO
AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-57-40
, RELATING TO THE REAL ESTATE COMMISSION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE
AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-59-10
, RELATING TO THE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS COMMISSION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE
SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-60-10
, RELATING TO THE REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS
BOARD, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING
SECTION
40-63-10
, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORK EXAMINERS, SO AS TO
REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-67-10
,
RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY,
SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-69-10
, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINERS, SO AS TO
REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
40-81-50
,
RELATING TO THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND
CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
43-31-40
, RELATING TO THE STATE
AGENCY OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF
THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
44-43-1320
, RELATING TO DONATE LIFE SOUTH
CAROLINA, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING
SECTION
44-53-830
, RELATING TO THE DARE FUND, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND
CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
46-41-260
, RELATING TO THE AGRICULTURAL
COMMODITIES ADVISORY COMMISSION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE
SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
46-50-40
, RELATING TO THE COMMISSIONER OF
AGRICULTURE, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING
SECTION
48-23-10
, RELATING TO THE COMMISSION OF FORESTRY, SO AS TO REMOVE THE
ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
50-5-2700
, RELATING TO
THE ATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMPACT, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND
CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
51-13-1720
, RELATING TO THE OLD
JACKSONBOROUGH HISTORIC DISTRICT BOARD OF REGENTS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE
AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
54-17-30
, RELATING TO THE
MARITIME SECURITY COMMISSION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE
SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION
60-11-40
, RELATING TO THE COMMISSION OF ARCHIVES
AND HISTORY, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING
SECTION
60-15-20
, RELATING TO THE ARTS COMMISSION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE
AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION
63-11-700
, RELATING TO THE
DIVISION FOR REVIEW OF THE FOSTER CARE OF CHILDREN, SO AS TO REMOVE THE ADVICE
AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE.

B
e it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

S
ECTION 1.
S
ection
1-3-210
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
1-3-210
.
(
A)
(
1)
During the recess of the Senate, vacancy which occurs in an

If an
office filled by an appointment of the
Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate
becomes
vacant in the interim period between the second Thursday in May and the second
Tuesday of January, then the office
may be filled by an interim
appointment of the Governor
only if the Governor acts to
fill the office during the same interim period in which the office became
vacant
. The Governor must report the interim appointment to the Senate
and must forward a formal appointment at its next ensuing
regular session
.

(
2)
If the Senate does not advise
and consent
thereto
to the
appointment
prior to
sine die adjournment
the second Thursday in May following the interim period during
which the interim appointment was made, then

of the
next ensuing regular session,
the office
shall be
vacant
is vacated
and the interim appointment
shall not serve in hold over status notwithstanding any other provision of law
to the contrary.
The Governor may not make a subsequent
interim appointment for the same vacancy.

A
subsequent interim appointment of a different person to a vacancy created by a
failure of the Senate to grant confirmation to the original interim appointment
shall expire on the second Tuesday in January following the date of such
subsequent interim appointment and the office shall be vacant.

(
B) If the Senate votes to reject a
Governor's appointee who is serving in an interim, acting, or other capacity,
then the office is vacated notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
contrary.

S
ECTION 2.
S
ection
7-3-10
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
7-3-10
.
(
A) There is hereby created
the State Election Commission composed of five members
to
be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate to serve
terms

coterminous with the Governor subject to the
provisions in Section
1-30-12
.
at
Of the five members, at
least one
of
whom
shall be a member of the majority political party represented in
the General Assembly and at least one
of whom
shall
be a member of the largest minority political party represented in the General
Assembly
, to be appointed by the Governor to serve terms
of four years and until their successors have been appointed and qualify
.
Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the
term in the same manner as the original appointment.

S
ECTION 3.
C
hapter 30, Title 1 of the S.C. Code is amended by
adding:

S
ection
1-30-12
.
(
A) The governing authority
for each department of the executive branch in Section
1-30-10
(A) shall be for
a term coterminous with the Governor who appointed the director or secretary
with the advice and consent of the Senate. At the end of the Governor's term, a
director or secretary may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and
qualifies. However, a director or secretary continuing to serve pursuant to
this subsection vacates his office if he has not been reappointed with the
advice and consent of the Senate prior to sine die adjournment of the regular
session of the General Assembly following the Governor's election.

(
B) The
provisions contained in subsection (A) do not apply to the governing authority
of the Department of Public Safety, the South Carolina Military Department, and
the State Law Enforcement Division.

S
ECTION 4.
S
ection
1-13-40
(b) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

(
b) The commission shall consist of a
member from each congressional district appointed by the Governor
, with the advice and consent of the Senate,
and two
members at large appointed by the Governor. Each member shall serve for a term
of three years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Vacancies
must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired
term.

S
ECTION 5.
S
ection
1-15-10
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
1-15-10
. There is created a Commission on Women to be composed of sixteen
members appointed by the Governor
with the advice and
consent of the Senate
from among persons with a competency in the area
of public affairs and women's activities. One member must be appointed from
each congressional district and the remaining members from the State at large.
The commission must be under and a part of the Department of Administration.
Members of the commission shall serve for terms of four years and until their
successors are appointed and qualify, except of those members first appointed
after the expansion of the commission to fifteen members, two members shall
serve a term of one year, two members shall serve a term of two years, two
members shall serve a term of three years, and two members shall serve a term
of four years. Members appointed prior to and after the expansion of the
commission to fifteen members must be designated by the Governor as being
appointed to serve either from a particular congressional district or at large.
The member first appointed from the Seventh Congressional District after the
expansion of the commission to sixteen members shall serve a four-year term.
Vacancies must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the
unexpired portion of the term only. No member must be eligible to serve more
than two consecutive terms.

S
ECTION 6.
S
ection
1-31-10
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
1-31-10
. There is created a State Commission for Community Advancement and
Engagement consisting of nine members and the Governor ex officio. The
Governor must appoint one person from each of the congressional districts of
the State and two persons from the State at large
upon the
advice and consent of the Senate
. The Governor shall designate the
chairman. The members serve for a term of four years and until their
successors are appointed and qualify. A vacancy must be filled in the same
manner as original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. In
making appointments, the Governor and Senate shall take all reasonable steps to
ensure that members reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the State.

S
ECTION 7.
S
ection
6-19-30
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
6-19-30
. The fund for such grants must be from either revenue-sharing trust
funds or from general appropriations to the Department of
Health
and
Environmental
Services
Control
, which shall administer the grants for
intermission to public water supply authorities or districts, sewer authorities
or districts, water and sewer authorities, rural community water or sewer
systems, nonprofit corporations, or municipal sewer systems to which the grant
is made. The Governor
, with the advice and consent of the
Senate,
shall appoint an advisory committee composed of seven members,
one from each congressional district of the State. In addition an employee of
the Department of
Health and
Environmental
Services
Control
, designated
by the commissioner thereof, shall serve ex officio as a member of the
committee. The Governor may invite a director, or his representative, from an
agency providing water and sewer funds to serve as an advisory nonvoting member
to the committee. All members must be appointed for terms of three years. In
the event of a vacancy a successor shall be appointed for the unexpired term in
the manner of original appointment. The advisory committee shall meet as soon
after its appointment as may be practicable and shall organize by electing a
chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and such other officers as it may deem
desirable. The advisory committee shall select the projects to be funded
pursuant to Section
6-19-40
. Funds also may be expended from gifts or grants
from any source which are made available for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this chapter. Appropriations made to the fund but not expended at
the end of the fiscal year for which appropriated shall not revert to the
general fund but shall accrue to the credit of the fund. Grants must be made
only for water supply and waste water facilities projects on which construction
was not commenced before April 1, 1974.

S
ECTION 8.
S
ection
13-1-370
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
13-1-370
.
(
A)
The director may, in his discretion
,
establish an advisory committee of the Division of
State Development (hereafter, in this section, the "advisory committee") which
if established, would be comprised of twenty-four citizens of the State to be
appointed by the Governor
upon the advice and consent of
the Senate
. One member must be appointed from each of the following
two-county areas:

1
. Richland and
Kershaw counties;

2
. Spartanburg and
Cherokee counties;

3
. Laurens and
Newberry counties;

4
. Abbeville and
Greenwood counties;

5
. Berkeley and
Charleston counties;

6
. Oconee and Anderson
counties;

7
. Florence and Marion
counties;

8
. Greenville and
Pickens counties;

9
. Horry and Georgetown
counties;

1
0. Union and York
counties;

1
1. Lee and Darlington
counties;

1
2. Marlboro and Dillon
counties;

1
3. Chester and
Fairfield counties;

1
4. Lancaster and
Chesterfield counties;

1
5. Sumter and Calhoun
counties;

1
6. Clarendon and
Williamsburg counties;

1
7. Beaufort and Jasper
counties;

1
8. Dorchester and
Colleton counties;

1
9. Orangeburg and
Bamberg counties;

2
0. Allendale and
Hampton counties;

2
1. Aiken and Barnwell
counties;

2
2. Lexington and Saluda
counties;

2
3. Edgefield and
McCormick counties.

(
B)
The Governor shall
appoint one member from the State at large who shall serve as chairman. The
terms of the members are for a period of four years and until their successors
are appointed and qualify. Terms for all members commence on July first of the
year of appointment. Of the members initially appointed from the two-county
areas, the Governor shall appoint one member from each of the following
counties for a term of two years: Kershaw, Cherokee, Newberry, Greenwood,
Charleston, Anderson, Marion, Pickens, Georgetown, York, Darlington, and
Dillon, and the Governor shall appoint one member from each of the following
counties for a term of four years: Fairfield, Chesterfield, Calhoun,
Williamsburg, Jasper, Colleton, Bamberg, Hampton, Barnwell, Lexington, and
McCormick. Upon the expiration of the initial terms of the members appointed
from the two-county areas, the Governor shall rotate the appointment of these
members between the counties in each of the two-county areas. The advisory
committee may select other officers from its membership to serve for terms
designated by it. Vacancies must be filled in the manner of the original
appointments for the unexpired portions of the terms. The members of the
advisory committee must be paid the usual mileage and subsistence as is
provided by law for members of state boards, commissions, and committees. The
advisory committee must meet four times a year, and may meet more often if the
chairman considers it necessary or if ten members request the chairman to call
a meeting, and the director approves such additional meetings. The advisory
committee may not meet at any location outside the boundaries of South
Carolina. The advisory committee shall advise and consult with the director on
the following matters:

(a)
(
1)
the condition of and prospects for economic
development in the State - particularly in the rural areas;

(b)
(
2)
the fostering of a close working relationship between
the primarily rural, or primarily agricultural, counties of the State and the
counties which are primarily nonrural or nonagricultural;

(c)
(
3)
the identification of problems facing smaller rural
counties and of solutions to those problems;

(d)
(
4)
having input to the director regarding industrial
prospects throughout the State; and

(e)
(
5)
any other matter which the director considers
necessary to assist the director, in the way of consultation or advice, in
carrying out any of the director's duties or functions under this article.

S
ECTION 9.
S
ection
13-19-10
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
13-19-10
. There is created the Midlands Authority of South Carolina, referred
to in this chapter as the "authority". The governing body of the authority
consists of a nine member board appointed by the Governor
,
with the advice and consent of the Senate,
for terms of four years and
until their successors are appointed and qualify. Vacancies must be filled in
the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.
Two members must be
resident

residents
of each of the following counties: Richland, Lexington,
Fairfield, and Newberry. One member must be appointed from the state at
large. Vacancies on the board for any reason must be filled for the unexpired
term in the manner of original appointment.

S
ECTION 10.
S
ection
13-21-10
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
13-21-10
. There is created the Edisto Development Authority, referred to in
this chapter as the "authority". The governing body of the authority consists
of a seven member board appointed by the Governor
, with
the advice and consent of the Senate,
for terms of four years and until
their successors are appointed and qualify. Vacancies must be filled in the
manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. One
member must be appointed from each of the following counties: Allendale,
Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Hampton, and Orangeburg. One member must be
appointed from the state at large.

S
ECTION 11.
S
ection
25-21-20
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) There is created the Board of
Trustees for the Veterans' Trust Fund of South Carolina composed of eleven
voting members. The Governor
, with the advice and consent
of the Senate,
shall appoint the board consisting of seven members
selected at large, two members currently serving as county veterans' affairs
officers, and two members who represent veterans' service organizations. Of
the seven members appointed at large, three must come from a rural county as
designated by the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the eleven appointed members, at
least six must be United States Armed Forces veterans. Any veteran who serves
on the board, must have been honorably discharged from the armed services. No
more than one appointed member may reside in the same county. The Secretary of
the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall serve as the Executive Director of
the Trust Fund and an ex officio non-voting member of the board. The members
of the board shall elect officers from among themselves as necessary and shall
utilize the staff of the Veterans' Affairs Department in order to carry out its
duties, as provided in Section
25-21-30
.

S
ECTION 12.
S
ection
38-89-160
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
38-89-160
. The association is governed by a board of seven directors, one of
whom is appointed by the Governor
, with the advice and
consent of the Senate,
to represent the general public and three of whom
are day care owners or operators appointed by the Governor. Three directors are
elected by cumulative voting by members of the association, whose votes in the
election must be weighed in accordance with each member's net direct premiums
written during the preceding calendar year. The approved plan of operation of
the association may make provision for combining insurers under common
ownership or management into groups for voting, assessment, and all other
purposes and may provide that not more than one of the officers or employees of
the group may serve as a director at any one time. The insurer representatives
of the board of directors must be elected at a meeting of the members or their
authorized representatives, which must be held at a time and place designated
by the board of directors. The board shall elect a chairman and other necessary
officers.

S
ECTION 13.
S
ection
40-7-10
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
40-7-10
. The State Board of Barber Examiners is established and consists of
five members appointed by the Governor
with the advice and
consent of the Senate
for terms of four years and until successors are
appointed and qualify. Four members must be licensed barbers who have been
engaged in the practice of barbering for at least five years in this State, and
of these members at least two must be licensed as master haircare specialists.
One member must be a member from the general public not connected with the
practice of barbering. Nominations for the member from the general public may
be submitted to the Nominations Committee by an individual, group, or association.
The Nominations Committee shall give consideration to these nominations, and
the appointment of this member must be made in accordance with Section
40-1-45
. The member from the general public has all the rights and privileges
of the other board members except the lay member may not participate in the
examination of an applicant for a license. The Governor may remove a member in
accordance with Section
1-3-240
and shall appoint a member to fill the
unexpired portion of the term. A majority vote is required to exercise any
function of the board.

S
ECTION 14.
S
ection
40-13-10
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
40-13-10
.
(
A) A State Board of
Cosmetology is created composed of seven members appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate
for terms of
four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Vacancies are
filled in the manner of original appointment for the unexpired portion of the
term. Recommendations for appointment may be made by the board and other
interested groups or persons. The recommendations must be submitted to the
Governor not later than the thirty-first day of December of the year preceding
the year in which appointments expire. Four members of the board must be
experienced cosmetologists and must have been in the practice of cosmetology in
this State for at least five years before appointment. One member must be from
the public at large and not connected with the practice of cosmetology. One
member must be an esthetician and one must be a nail technician.

(
1)
It is unlawful for a member
of the board or an inspector or employee of the board, or a spouse of a board
member, inspector, or employee to own an interest in a cosmetology school or
substantial interest in a company which deals in wholesale sales or services to
beauty salons or schools.

(
2)
The member of the board who
is not connected with the practice of cosmetology has all rights and privileges
of other members of the board except the member may not participate in the
examination of an applicant for a license.

(
B)
There is created an Advisory Committee to the State Board of Cosmetology
composed of six members appointed by the Governor
with the
advice and consent of the Senate
for terms of four years and until their
successors are appointed and qualify. Terms commence on April first. Vacancies
on the committee must be filled in the manner of original appointment for the
unexpired term.

(
1)
The following associations
or groups shall recommend one person to the Governor for appointment to the
committee: the National Cosmetology Association of South Carolina, the South
Carolina State Cosmetologist Association, the South Carolina Vocational Directors
Association, the South Carolina Association of Cosmetology Schools, the South
Carolina Beauty Supply Dealers, and the teachers of cosmetology in vocational
or private schools. Recommendations must be submitted to the Governor not later
than the thirty-first day of December of the year preceding the year in which
appointments expire. The Governor may reject any person recommended for
appointment upon a satisfactory showing that the person is unfit to serve. If a
person is rejected, the group or association who recommended the person shall
submit additional names to the Governor for consideration.

(
2)
Committee members shall
receive the same mileage, subsistence, and per diem as provided by law for
members of state boards, committees, and commissions. The board shall meet with
the committee quarterly to discuss problems, make recommendations, and hear
reports of board policy affecting the industry. Special meetings may be called
by the board upon sufficient notice. Accurate minutes of all meetings must be
kept by the board as part of its public record.

S
ECTION 15.
S
ection
40-20-40
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) There is created the South Carolina
Panel for Dietetics under the administration of the Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation composed of the following seven members to be
appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of
the Senate
:

(
1)
One member shall represent the public at large and must not be a dietitian, an
agent or employee of a person engaged in the profession of dietetics, a
licensed health care professional, an agent or employee of a health care
institution, a health care insurer, or a health care professional school, a
member of any allied health care profession, or the spouse of any of these
individuals.

(
2)
One member must be employed by a hospital and recommended by the South Carolina
Hospital Association.

(
3)
Five members must be dietitians licensed to practice in this State and
recommended by the South Carolina Dietetic Association:

(
a)
one must be a professional whose primary practice is clinical dietetics;

(
b)
one must be a professional whose primary practice is community or public health
dietetics;

(
c)
one must be a professional whose primary practice is consulting in dietetics;

(
d)
one must be a professional whose primary practice is in management of
nutritional services;

(
e)
one must be an educator on the faculty of a college or university, specializing
in the field of dietetics.

S
ECTION 16.
S
ection
40-30-40
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) There is created the Board of
Massage Therapy under the administration of the department. The board shall be
composed of seven members appointed by the Governor
, upon
the advice and consent of the Senate
. Six members must be licensed
massage therapists in good standing and must have been engaged in the practice
of massage therapy for no fewer than three consecutive years before appointment
to the board. One member must represent the public at large and must not have
a financial interest, direct or indirect, in the profession or practice of
massage therapy. A board member must be a high school graduate or shall have
received a graduate equivalency diploma and must be a citizen of the United
States and a resident of this State for no fewer than five years. Nominations
for appointment to the board may be submitted to the Governor from any
individual, group, or association.

S
ECTION 17.
S
ection
40-35-10
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) There is created the South Carolina
Board of Long Term Health Care Administrators composed of nine members who must
be appointed by the Governor
, with the advice and consent
of the Senate,
for three-year terms and until their successors are
appointed and qualify. Of the nine members:

(
1)
three must be qualified nursing home administrators licensed under this
chapter; one must be from a proprietary nursing home; one must be from a
nonproprietary nursing home; and one must be a qualified hospital
administrator;

(
2)
three must be community residential care facility administrators, licensed
under this chapter, at least one of whom must be from a community residential
care facility with ten or fewer residents;

(
3)
one must be a consumer, sponsor, or family member of a consumer of nursing home
services;

(
4)
one must be a consumer, sponsor, or family member of a consumer of community
residential care services;

(
5)
one must be a voting member of the Long Term Care Committee of the Health and
Human Services Coordinating Council who must be nominated by election of the
committee from among its voting members. If the Governor does not accept the
nomination, an additional nominee must be selected in the same manner.

T
he
Commissioner
Director
of the
Department of
Public
Health

and Environmental Control
, or his designee, also shall serve as a
nonvoting member on the board, ex officio.

A
n individual, group,
or association may submit the names of qualified individuals to the Governor
for his consideration in making these appointments.

A
vacancy must be
filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of
the term. A member may not serve more than two consecutive full terms.

S
ECTION 18.
S
ection
40-47-11
(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
B) All lay commissioners must hold a
baccalaureate degree or higher, must not have been convicted of a felony or
other crime of moral turpitude, and must not be employed or have a member of
their immediate family employed in a health or medically related field. One lay
commissioner must be appointed by the Governor from each of the seven
congressional districts
, with the advice and consent of
the Senate
. Each lay commissioner must be a registered voter and reside
in the congressional district he represents throughout his term. Each lay
commissioner initially appointed from each district shall serve for a term of
three years and until his successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies must
be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the remainder of the
unexpired portion of the term. The Governor may appoint a lay commissioner to
serve a full term; however, a lay commissioner may not serve more than three
consecutive terms.

S
ECTION 19.
S
ection
40-51-30
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) There is created the Board of
Podiatry Examiners to be composed of five members, appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate
, one of whom
must be a lay member from the State at large, one of whom must be a podiatrist
from the State at large who shall serve as chairman, and three of whom must be
podiatrists, one from each of these districts:

(
1)
the Upper District comprised of Oconee, Pickens, Anderson, Greenville,
Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union, York, Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Newberry,
Saluda, Edgefield, McCormick, Greenwood, Laurens, and Abbeville counties;

(
2)
the Central District comprised of Kershaw, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington,
Lee, Sumter, Clarendon, Richland, Calhoun, Orangeburg, Lexington, Aiken,
Barnwell, and Allendale counties; and

(
3)
the Lower District comprised of Hampton, Jasper, Beaufort, Colleton,
Charleston, Dorchester, Bamberg, Berkeley, Williamsburg, Georgetown, Florence,
Horry, Marion, and Dillon counties.

S
ECTION 20.
S
ection
40-57-40
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) The South Carolina Real Estate
Commission consists of ten commissioners elected or appointed as follows:

(
1)
seven commissioners who are professionally engaged in the active practice of
real estate, one elected from each congressional district by a majority of
house members and senators representing the house and senate districts located
within each congressional district;

(
2)
two commissioners representing the public who are not professionally engaged in
the practice of real estate, each appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate
;

(
3)
the elected and appointed commissioners shall elect from the State at large one
additional commissioner who must be in the active practice of real estate.

S
ECTION 21.
S
ection
40-59-10
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) There is created the South Carolina
Residential Builders Commission which must be composed of eight persons who
have been residents of the State for at least five years and two of whom must
be consumers not engaged in the business of residential building, four of whom
have been actively engaged in residential building for a period of at least
five years before the date of their appointment, and who must be recommended to
the Governor by the South Carolina Home Builders Association, and one of whom
has been actively engaged in residential specialty contracting for a period of
at least five years before the date of appointment. One member must be
appointed from each congressional district, and one must be appointed from the
State at large. Members of the commission must be appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate
for a term of
four years or until their successors are appointed and qualify. A vacancy
occurring by reason of death, resignation, removal for cause, or otherwise must
be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the manner of the original
appointment. The Governor may remove any member of the commission in accordance
with Section
1-3-240
.

S
ECTION 22.
S
ection
40-60-10
(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
B) The South Carolina Real Estate
Appraisers Board consists of eight members who must be residents of this State
and appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent
of the Senate
and with consideration given to appropriate geographic
representation and to areas of appraisal expertise as follows:

(
1)
One member must be a public member who may not be connected in any way with the
practice of real estate appraisal, real estate brokerage, or mortgage lending.
The member from the general public may be nominated by an individual, group, or
association and must be appointed by the Governor in accordance with Section
40-1-45
.

(
2)
One member must be a licensed real estate broker.

(
3)
One member must be actively engaged in mortgage lending, representing
supervised financial institutions, who is not a real estate licensee or a real
estate appraiser and who also must not be connected in any way with the
brokerage of real estate, the appraisal of real estate, or the review of real
estate appraisals.

(
4)
Four members must be licensed or certified appraisers, actively engaged in real
estate appraisal for at least three years, one of whom must be a certified
general appraiser and one of whom must be a certified residential appraiser.
In appointing real estate appraisers to the board, the Governor, while not
automatically excluding other appraisers, shall give preference to real estate
appraisers whose primary source of income is derived from appraising real
estate and not real estate brokerage.

(
5)
One member must represent an appraisal management company registered with the
board.

S
ECTION 23.
S
ection
40-63-10
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) There is created the State Board of
Social Work Examiners to be composed of seven members appointed by the Governor
, with the advice and consent of the Senate
, including
one lay member, two licensed baccalaureate social workers, two licensed master
social workers, and two licensed independent social workers (clinical or
advanced practice). All members must be residents of this State and the social
workers must have been in the active practice of social work for at least five
years before appointment. The terms of the members are for four years and until
their successors are appointed and qualify. Members of the board are eligible
for reappointment. The board shall have powers and duties as stated in Section
40-1-70
. The board may promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of
this chapter. The Governor may remove a member in accordance with Section
1-3-240
. No member may be removed without an opportunity to refute the charges
filed against him. He must be given a copy of the charges at the time they are
filed. Vacancies on the board must be filled in the manner of the original
appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.

S
ECTION 24.
S
ection
40-67-10
(C) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
C) All members must be appointed by
the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate
.
Nominations for appointment to the board may be submitted to the Governor from
a group, individual, or association and must be considered in accordance with
Section
40-1-45
. Members shall serve terms of four years and until a successor
has been appointed and qualifies.

S
ECTION 25.
S
ection
40-81-50
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) There is created the State Athletic
Commission consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate
to regulate
boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts, and other combative sports
in this State. One member must be appointed from each congressional district of
the State and two from the State at large. One of the at-large appointments
must be a physician licensed and in good standing in the State. The terms of
the members are for four years and until their successors are appointed and
qualified. Vacancies must be filled by the Governor for the remainder of an
unexpired term. The commissioners of the State Athletic Commission may not have
any financial interest, direct or indirect, in the promotion, management, or
result of any boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, or wrestling event or
exhibition.

S
ECTION 26.
S
ection
43-31-40
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
43-31-40
. The Governor shall appoint a State Agency of Vocational
Rehabilitation to be composed of seven members, and this agency shall provide
for the administration of this chapter. The members of the agency shall consist
of one member from each congressional district. The Governor
, upon the advice and consent of the Senate,
shall
appoint the members. The members shall serve a term of seven years. The terms
of office must always remain staggered so that the term of one member expires
every year with appointments to fill unexpired terms caused by death,
resignation, or disability.

S
ECTION 27.
S
ection
44-43-1320
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) Donate Life South Carolina is to
be administered by a board of directors appointed by the Governor
, with the advice and consent of the Senate,
and is
composed of:

(
1)
one representative from a civic organization that promotes organ or tissue
donation or both;

(
2)
four members representing organ and tissue recipients, families of recipients,
and families of donors who are residents of South Carolina; of these four
members, one each must represent the Lowcountry, Pee Dee, Midlands, and
Piedmont regions of the State;

(
3)
one forensic pathologist who is a resident of and who is licensed to practice
medicine in South Carolina;

(
4)
four at-large members who have demonstrated an interest in organ and tissue
donation and education and who are residents of this State.

S
ECTION 28.
S
ection
44-53-830
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) The DARE Fund is to be
administered by a board of directors appointed by the Governor
, with the advice and consent of the Senate,
and is
composed of:

(
1)
the Attorney General, ex officio, or his designee;

(
2)
two county sheriffs, who shall serve ex officio;

(
3)
two police chiefs;

(
4)
two local law enforcement officers assigned to the DARE Program; and

(
5)
two school principals.

D
irectors who are not
elected officials serve by virtue of their position at the time of appointment.

S
ECTION 29.
S
ection
46-41-260
(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
B) The advisory commission shall
consist of ten members, one of whom shall be the Commissioner of Agriculture,
ex officio, and nine of whom shall be appointed by the commissioner
, upon the advice and consent of the Senate
. The
commissioner shall appoint a:

(
1)
warehouseman or cotton ginner;

(
2)
producer upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Corn and Soybean
Association;

(
3)
producer upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation;

(
4)
financier who is familiar with the financing of businesses that store or market
the commodities that are regulated under this chapter upon the recommendation
of a South Carolina financial institution with an agricultural background;

(
5)
commodity trader who executes future trades related to a hedging program for
purchases or sales of commodities regulated under this chapter;

(
6)
owner or operator of an elevator that handles agricultural commodities;

(
7)
owner or operator of an inland elevator or barge-loading river facility or a
licensed South Carolina grain dealer upon the recommendation of the South
Carolina Palmetto Agribusiness Council;

(
8)
producer appointed upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Poultry
Federation;

(
9)
cotton merchant appointed from the State at large; and

(
10)
cotton producer appointed upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Board
of the Southern Cotton Growers, Inc.

S
ECTION 30.
S
ection
46-50-40
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
46-50-40
. The State Commissioner of Agriculture shall act as compact
administrator for the State of South Carolina, and shall also be a member and
serve as chairman of the state's delegation to the Southern Interstate Dairy
Compact Commission.
With the advice and consent of the
Senate, the
The
Governor shall appoint four
additional delegates to represent the State on the Southern Dairy Compact
Commission provided for in Article III of the compact. The four additional
delegates must include two dairy producers actually engaged in the production
of milk at the time of their appointment or reappointment, one milk processor
actually engaged in the processing of milk in this State into milk products for
public consumption at the time of his appointment or reappointment, and one
consumer representative from the public at large. Each delegate appointed by
the Governor shall serve for a term of four years and shall diligently and
conscientiously strive to achieve the purposes of the Southern Dairy Compact.
Vacancies in the state's delegation shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointments for the unexpired term. Delegates whose expenses are not
paid or reimbursed by the Southern Interstate Dairy Compact Commission may
submit claims for travel and per diem to the Department of Agriculture. Upon
approval of the claims by the Compact Administrator, or his designee, delegates
shall receive per diem not to exceed thirty-five dollars for each day of
service plus reimbursement at the prevailing state rate for travel expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties as delegates. The Commissioner of
Agriculture may provide funding and facilities as necessary to support and
enable the delegation to perform its mission under the compact from funds appropriated
to the Department of Agriculture.

S
ECTION 31.
S
ection
50-5-2700
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
50-5-2700
. In pursuance of Article III of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Compact, of which this State is a signatory, there shall be three members,
hereinafter called compact commissioners, of the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission, hereinafter called the Compact Commission, from this
State. The first compact commissioner from this State shall be the director of
the department, ex officio. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
8-13-770
,
the second compact commissioner from this State shall be a member of the
General Assembly who is also a member of the Commission on Interstate
Cooperation of this State, designated by the Commission on Interstate
Cooperation to serve ex officio. The Governor
, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate,
shall appoint a citizen of this
State as a third compact commissioner, who shall have a knowledge of and
interest in the marine fisheries problem. The term of the compact commissioner
shall be three years and he shall hold office until his successor shall be
appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring in the office of the commissioner
for any reason or cause shall be filled by appointment by the Governor
, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
for
the unexpired term. The director of the department as an ex officio
commissioner may delegate, from time to time, to any deputy or other
subordinate in his department or office, the power to be present and
participate, including voting as his representative or substitute, at any
meeting of or hearing by or other proceeding of the Compact Commission. These
commissioners' service shall begin when the compact has gone into effect in
accordance with Article II thereof and also shall begin upon the date upon
which the compact shall become effective in accordance with Article II.

S
ECTION 32.
S
ection
51-13-1720
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
51-13-1720
.
(
A)
The authority must be governed by a board of regents
consisting of seven members, as follows:

(a)
(
1)
one member appointed by the Senator in whose district
the present Village of Jacksonborough is located. The member must be a resident
of this State;

(b)
(
2)
one member appointed by the Representative in whose
district the present Village of Jacksonborough is located. The member must be a
resident of this State;

(c)
(
3)
four members resident in Colleton County appointed by
the Governor upon recommendation of the Colleton County Legislative Delegation;
and

(d)
(
4)
one member appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate
who resides in
the congressional district in which the present Village of Jacksonborough is
located.

(
B)
The terms of the
members must be for four years and until their successors are appointed and
qualify except that those originally appointed to the board of regents, four
shall serve two years and three shall serve for four years. The length of such
terms must be determined by lot. In the case of a vacancy, the vacancy must be
filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of
the term only. The board of regents, upon being appointed, shall meet and elect
a chairman and other officers it considers necessary from its membership.

S
ECTION 33.
S
ection
54-17-30
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
54-17-30
.
(
A)
There is created a Maritime Security Commission
composed of nine members:

(
1)
one member shall be the Chairman of the State Ports Authority, ex-officio, or a
member of the State Ports Authority Board, designated by the chairman;

(
2)
one member shall be a chief of police or equivalent, ex-officio;

(
3) one
member shall be a fire chief or equivalent, ex-officio;

(
4) one
member shall be a representative of the South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources Law Enforcement Division, ex-officio;

(
5) one
member shall represent the commercial maritime community;

(
6) one
member shall be a retired United States Coast Guard officer, grade 0-5 or
higher, who supervised federal port security duties as a Captain of the Port;

(
7) one
member shall be a retired United States Navy or Navy Reserve officer, grade 0-6
or higher;

(
8) one
member shall be a retired United States Marines Corps or Marine Corps Reserve
officer, grade 0-6 or higher; and

(
9) one
member shall be a retired United States Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve
officer, grade 0-6 or higher.

(
B)
The five members who
are not ex-officio shall be appointed by the Governor
with
the advice and consent of the Senate
. These non-ex-officio members shall
be selected from respective lists of retired Navy and Navy Reserve, Marine
Corps and Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve officers
residing in South Carolina and commercial maritime community members maintained
by the Captains of the Port. The chiefs of police and fire chiefs shall be from
the port communities and shall rotate annually into the position on the
commission. The order of rotation shall be determined by the respective chiefs.
The Coast Guard member and the commercial maritime community member shall serve
initial terms of two years, the Navy and Marine Corps members shall serve
initial terms of four years, and the Coast Guard member who supervised federal
port security duties as Captain of the Port shall serve an initial term of six
years. Thereafter, the four members who are not ex-officio shall serve terms of
six years. In the event of a vacancy, however caused, a successor must be
appointed in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired term.
These appointments must be made as each term of the present commissioners
expires. The appointees, however, shall serve until their successors have been
appointed and qualified. There shall be a chairman and a secretary elected by
the members of the commission pursuant to rules adopted by the commission. Each
member shall have the appropriate background as to authorize access to
sensitive law enforcement and port security information.

S
ECTION 34.
S
ection
60-11-40
(3) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
3) Six non-ex officio members shall be
appointed by the Governor as follows: one member upon the recommendation of
the South Carolina Historical Society, one member upon the recommendation of
the American Legion, Department of South Carolina, one member upon the
recommendation of the South Carolina Historical Association, and one member
upon the recommendation of the University South Caroliniana Society. Each shall
serve for a term of five years. Two members shall be appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate
for terms of
office to run concurrently with the term of the Governor. Vacancies shall be
filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

S
ECTION 35.
S
ection
60-15-20
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
60-15-20
. There is hereby created the South Carolina Arts Commission, to
consist of nine members, representative of all fields of the creative and
interpretive arts, to be appointed by the Governor
with
the advice and consent of the Senate
from among private citizens who are
widely known for their professional competence and experience in connection
with the interpretive and creative arts. In making such appointments
consideration shall be given to the recommendations made by representative,
civic, educational and professional associations and groups, concerned with or
engaged in the production or presentation of the fine arts generally.

S
ECTION 36.
S
ection
63-11-700
(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to
read:

(
A) There is created, within the
Department of Children's Advocacy, the Division for Review of the Foster Care
of Children. The division must be supported by a board consisting of seven
members, all of whom must be past or present members of local review boards.
There must be one member from each congressional district, all appointed by the
Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate
.

S
ECTION 37.
S
ection
59-51-30
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
59-51-30
. The Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School is under the management and
control of a board of twelve trustees, all of whom must be
elected by the General Assembly
appointed
by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate
. The trustees
so
elected
appointed

must be citizens of the State who are interested in the aims and ambitions of
the school. Members of the board shall serve for terms of four years and until
their successors are elected and qualify. The board shall elect a chairman and
a vice chairman. In case a vacancy occurs on the board for any reason other
than expiration of a term when the General Assembly is not in session, the
Governor may fill it by
an interim
appointment
until the next session of the General Assembly, at which time a
successor must be elected for the remainder of the unexpired term
pursuant to Section
1-3-210
.
Elections
to fill vacancies which are caused for any reason other than expiration of a
term may be held earlier than the first day of April of the year the vacancy is
filled.
A quorum of the board is seven members.

S
ECTION 38.
S
ection
59-51-35
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
59-51-35
.
(
A) All members of the
board of trustees shall complete successfully a training program on the powers,
duties, and responsibilities of a board member including, but not limited to,
topics on policy development, personnel, school leadership and board relations,
at-risk programs, finance, school law, ethics, and community relations, as
determined by the board of trustees. Training also must be provided regarding
how to best serve the at-risk students in their care.

(
B)
Within one year of taking office, all persons
elected
appointed
as members of the board of trustees after July
1, 2018, also must complete the training prescribed in subsection (A).

S
ECTION 39.
S
ection
2-15-10
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
2-15-10
. There is created the Legislative Audit Council consisting of
five
six
members,
one
three
of whom must be
appointed by the President of the Senate and three of whom must
be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Of those
appointed, one must be
a practicing certified public accountant or a
licensed public accountant and one of whom must be an attorney.
The council must be elected by the General Assembly in a joint
session from the nominees presented by the nominating committee.
The
council also includes as ex officio members the following: the Chairmen of the
Senate and House Judiciary Committees or a designee by either chairman from the
membership of the respective committees and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance
Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee or a designee by either
chairman from the membership of the respective committees. The ex officio
members, including their designees, are voting members on all matters except
those pertaining to auditing functions and personnel matters. The council is
directly responsible to the General Assembly and is independent of any other
state agency, board, or department.

S
ECTION 40.
S
ection
2-15-30
of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

S
ection
2-15-30
. The terms of office of the members of the council shall be for six
years and until their successors are appointed and qualify
.
, except that of the initial members, one shall be elected for
the term of two years, one for a term of four years and one for a term of six
years. No person who is either a member of the General Assembly or has served
in the General Assembly during the preceding two years shall be elected to the
Council.
Any member may succeed himself on the council. The council
shall elect its own chairman.

S
ECTION 41. The
office of Director of the Department of Public Health is declared vacant as of
May 14, 2026. The director must cease to exercise the duties of his office and
vacate the premises on or before that date. The Governor may name a current
employee of the Department of Public Health as acting director to carry out the
duties of the director until a new director is appointed and the Senate
confirms the new director. However, the person serving as director as of
January 1, 2026, may not be named acting or interim director.

S
ECTION 42.
C
hapter 3, Title 1 of the S.C. Code is amended by
adding:

S
ection
1-3-235
. Notice of any gubernatorial appointment that does not require the
advice and consent of the Senate must be delivered to the Clerk of the Senate
when the appointment is submitted to the Secretary of State's office.

S
ECTION 43. Section
2-15-20
of the S.C. Code is repealed.

S
ECTION 44. This act takes effect on January
13, 2027, upon approval by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on May 14, 2026 at 3:02 PM