The bill H. 3430 proposes significant changes to the appointment and oversight of the State Auditor in South Carolina. It establishes a new section, 11-7-70, which mandates that the Governor appoint the State Auditor with the advice and consent of the Senate for a four-year term, allowing for reappointments. The bill stipulates that the State Auditor can only be removed by the Governor under specific conditions outlined in Section 1-3-240(C). Additionally, the selection of the State Auditor must be based on qualifications such as integrity and expertise in relevant fields, rather than political affiliation. The compensation for the State Auditor is to be set by the Governor and approved by the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, and it cannot be reduced during their uninterrupted tenure.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 1-3-240 to include the State Auditor in the list of officers that the Governor can remove, while also repealing Section 11-7-10, which previously governed the selection process for the State Auditor. This legislative change aims to enhance the accountability and independence of the State Auditor's office by ensuring a more structured appointment process and safeguarding the position from political influence. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 11-7-70, 1-3-240, 11-7-10
Latest Version: 11-7-70, 1-3-240, 11-7-10