A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 25-11-40, RELATING TO COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS SHALL APPOINT ONE COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICER FOR EACH COUNTY IN THE STATE AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR TWO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES IN EACH COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICE.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 25-11-40(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (B) Subject to the recommendation of a majority of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county, the secretary shall appoint a one county veterans' affairs officer for each county in the State, whose term of office shall begin July first of each odd-numbered year and shall continue for a term of two years and until a successor shall be appointed. The General Assembly shall appropriate the necessary funds for two full-time employees in each county veterans' affairs office. Qualifications shall be determined by the county legislative delegation upon a majority vote of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county. A county veterans' affairs officer is an at-will employee of the department, subject to removal for cause at any time by the secretary, a majority of the Senators representing the county, and a majority of the House members representing the county.

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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