Senators Matthews, Sutton, Hutto, Sabb, and Tedder propose the following amendment (SMIN-922.MW0001S):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 41 and inserting:

SECTION 41. The office of Director of the Department of Public Health is declared vacant as of May 14, 2026 December 31, 2026. The director must cease to exercise the duties of his office and vacate the premises on or before that date because it would be to the detriment of the State for the Director to cease to exercise the duties of his office due to a public health outbreak. 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.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.