A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-53-1710, RELATING TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE COMMISSION, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS REPRESENTING LEXINGTON COUNTY BY ONE MEMBER AND TO CORRESPONDINGLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS REPRESENTING RICHLAND COUNTY BY ONE MEMBER; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE COMMISSION REPRESENTING RICHLAND COUNTY WHOSE TERM EXPIRES AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT MUST BE REPLACED BY A MEMBER REPRESENTING LEXINGTON COUNTY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION REPRESENTING LEXINGTON COUNTY.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 59-53-1710 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    Section 59-53-1710.  There is created, as an administrative agency of Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield counties, the Midlands Technical College Commission. The commission is composed of thirteen members who must be appointed by the Governor for a term of four years as follows:  sevensix members must be appointed upon the recommendation of a majority of the legislative delegation representing Richland County, fivesix members must be appointed upon the recommendation of a majority of the legislative delegation representing Lexington County, and one member must be appointed upon the recommendation of a majority of the legislative delegation representing Fairfield County. If a vacancy occurs, a successor must be appointed in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. Any member may be removed by the appointing authority for neglect of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance in office after being given a written statement of reasons and an opportunity to be heard. Members serve until their successors are appointed and qualify, but any delay in appointing a successor does not extend the term of the succession. The members of the commission shall receive per diem as provided for members of boards, commissions, and committees and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The commission shall elect from its membership a chairman, a vice chairman, a treasurer, and a secretary to serve for terms of two years and until their successors are elected and qualify. The office of chairman must be rotated among the representatives of the three counties, but the practice of rotating the office of chairman may be dispensed with by a three-fourths vote of the commission. If the office of chairman becomes vacant, a successor must be elected for the remainder of the term and must be from the members representing the same county as the former chairman. The same rotation must be applied to the office of vice chairman, but the practice of rotating the office of vice chairman may be dispensed with if, by three-fourths vote, the commission finds that the rotation is impracticable.

SECTION 2.  The first member of the Midlands Technical College Commission representing Richland County whose term expires after the effective date of this act must be replaced by a member representing Lexington County appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of a majority of the legislative delegation representing Lexington County.

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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