A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 11-7-10, RELATING TO THE SELECTION OF A STATE AUDITOR, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE STATE AUDITING DEPARTMENT HEADED BY A STATE AUDITOR, PROVIDE THAT THE STATE AUDITOR IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE FOR A SIX YEAR TERM, AND PROVIDE THAT THE STATE AUDITOR MAY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE BY THE GOVERNOR FOR CAUSE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 1-3-240, RELATING TO REMOVAL OF OFFICERS BY THE GOVERNOR, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE STATE AUDITOR.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 11-7-10 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    Section 11-7-10. (A) The State Fiscal Accountability Authority shall select the State Auditor, who shall select necessary assistants in conformity with the appropriations for the office.There is established the Department of State Governmental Auditing headed by the State Auditor. The State Auditor must possess the educational and professional experience necessary to carry out the duties of his office.

    (B) The State Auditor shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall hold office until his successor is appointed and qualified. The State Auditor's term of office is six years. The State Auditor's term shall commence on July first of the appointing year and expire on June thirtieth of the ending year. The State Auditor may be removed from office pursuant to Section 1-3-240(C).

    (C) The State Auditor's annual compensation shall be set by the Agency Head Salary Commission. The State Auditor's annual compensation must not be reduced during his term of office.

    (D) The State Auditor shall employ a staff necessary to carry out the duties of the Department of State Governmental Auditing. The State Auditor shall fix the salaries of all staff subject to the funds authorized in the annual appropriations act.

SECTION 2.  Section 1-3-240(C)(1)(b) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (b) [Reserved]State Auditor

SECTION 3.  On the effective date of this act, the State Auditor selected by the State Fiscal Accountability Authority shall continue in office in a holdover capacity. The Governor shall appoint a State Auditor as provided in this act. The State Auditor serving in holdover capacity shall be eligible for appointment by the Governor. The State Auditor serving in holdover capacity, and his successor, shall receive the same salary as the State Auditor was receiving prior to the effective date of this act until an annual salary is set by the Agency Head Salary Commission.

SECTION 4.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----