South Carolina S 248: JMSC Reform

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 248 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 21, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 248

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A joint Resolution

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE VI OF THE 
CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS 
OF THIS STATE, so as TO DELETE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE FROM THE LIST OF 
STATE OFFICERS WHICH THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES TO BE ELECTED AND PROVIDE THAT 
THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE MUST BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, UPON THE 
ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE, FOR A TERM COTERMINOUS WITH THE GOVERNOR UPON 
THE EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE SERVING IN OFFICE 
ON THE DATE OF THE RATIFICATION OF THIS PROVISION.

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

SECTION 1. It 
is proposed that Section 7, Article VI of the Constitution of this State be 
amended by adding the following new paragraph at the end:

 Beginning upon the 
expiration of the term of the Commissioner of Agriculture serving in office on 
the date of the ratification of the provisions of this paragraph, the 
Commissioner of Agriculture must be appointed by the Governor, upon the advice 
and consent of the Senate. The term of office must be for four years, 
coterminous with that of the Governor. The General Assembly shall provide by 
law for the duties, compensation, and qualifications for office, the procedures 
by which the appointment is made, and the procedures by which the Commissioner 
of Agriculture may be removed from office.

SECTION 2. The proposed amendment in SECTION 1 must 
be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for 
representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with 
the following words printed or written on the ballot:

 "Must Section 7, 
Article VI of the Constitution of this State, relating to state constitutional 
officers, be amended so as to delete the Commissioner of Agriculture 
from the list of state officers that the Constitution requires to be elected; 
provide that upon the expiration of the term of the Commissioner of Agriculture 
serving in office on the date of the ratification of this provision, the 
Commissioner of Agriculture must be appointed by the Governor, upon the advice 
and consent of the Senate; and require the General Assembly to provide by law 
for the duties, compensation, and qualifications for office, the procedures by 
which the appointment is made, and the procedures by which the Commissioner of 
Agriculture may be removed from office?

Yes o

No o

Those voting in favor 
of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square 
after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a 
ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."

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