A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 11-7-70 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT THE STATE AUDITOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-3-240, RELATING TO REMOVAL OF OFFICERS BY THE GOVERNOR, SO AS TO ADD THE STATE AUDITOR; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 11-7-10 RELATING TO THE SELECTION OF THE STATE AUDITOR.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 7, Title 11 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 11-7-70. (A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Governor shall appoint the State Auditor with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of four years. A Governor may reappoint the State Auditor for additional terms. The State Auditor's compensation must not be reduced during the State Auditor's uninterrupted continued tenure in office.

    (B) The State Auditor:

       (1) may be removed from office only by the Governor as provided in Section 1-3-240(C);

       (2) must be selected without regard to political affiliation and on the basis of integrity, capability for strong leadership, and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, investigation, or criminal justice administration or other closely related fields;

       (3) is entitled to receive compensation set by the Governor and approved by the State Fiscal Accountability Authority.

 

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

 

    (b) [Reserved] State Auditor;

 

SECTION 3.  Section 11-7-10 of the S.C. Code is repealed.

 

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

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