S 0031 General Bill, By Campsen
 A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 27, TITLE 7 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF
 LAWS, 1976, RELATING TO DIRECTORS HIRED BY COUNTY BOARDS OF REGISTRATION,
 ELECTION COMMISSIONS, OR COMBINED BOARDS, TO PROVIDE THAT COUNTY BOARDS OF
 REGISTRATION, ELECTION COMMISSIONS, OR COMBINED BOARDS SHALL HAVE THE
 EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY TO HIRE DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WHO SHALL SERVE
 AT THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD OR COMMISSION.

   12/13/12  Senate Prefiled
   12/13/12  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/08/13  Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 41)
   01/08/13  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (Senate Journal-page 41)

TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 27, TITLE 7 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS, 1976, RELATING TO DIRECTORS HIRED BY COUNTY BOARDS OF REGISTRATION, ELECTION COMMISSIONS, OR COMBINED BOARDS, TO PROVIDE THAT COUNTY BOARDS OF REGISTRATION, ELECTION COMMISSIONS, OR COMBINED BOARDS SHALL HAVE THE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY TO HIRE DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WHO SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD OR COMMISSION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 27, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 7-27-140.    County boards of registration, election commissions, or combined boards as authorized by Article 2 of this chapter shall have the exclusive authority to hire a director or executive director, subject to an appropriation authorization by the county council, who shall serve at the pleasure of the board or commission."

SECTION    2.    Section 7-27-210(E) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(E)    The Abbeville County Legislative Delegation Registration and Elections Commission for Abbeville County shall employ a director of the Registration and Elections Commission and a part-time assistant."

SECTION    3.    Section 7-27-215(E) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(E)    The executive director must be appointed and may be removed by a majority vote of the senators and a majority vote of the members of the House of Representatives representing Aiken County Registration and Elections Commission for Aiken County."

SECTION    4.    Section 7-27-300(E) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(E)    The executive director, upon recommendation of the Edgefield County Council, must be appointed by a majority vote of the senators and a majority vote of the members of the House of Representatives representing Edgefield County the Registration and Elections Commission for Edgefield County. The appointment is for a term of two years or until a successor is appointed."

SECTION    5.    Section 7-27-405.(A)(5) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(5)    The board may choose to elect a vice chair, a secretary, and other officers the board considers appropriate. The initial director must be employed by a majority of the Richland County Legislative Delegation. Subsequently, the The board shall employ the director, determine the compensation, and determine the number and compensation of other staff positions. Salaries must be consistent with the compensation schedules established by the county for similar positions."

SECTION    6.    Section 7-27-425(E) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(E)    Staff may be appointed and may be removed by a majority vote of the members of the Union County Legislative Delegation board."

SECTION    7.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.