Section 16-5-3

Terms of office; reconfirmation of current members; appointment of new members; vacancies; reappointment.

(a) Members of the commission shall be selected for nine-year terms expiring on August 31 of the respective year. The current nine members are subject to reconfirmation by the Senate and shall continue to the expiration of their respective terms subsequent to such reconfirmation, but shall continue to serve as appointed until such reconfirmation. In the event that the Senate shall fail to reconfirm a current member, the Governor shall with the advice and consent of the Senate appoint a replacement for the unexpired term. Of the three new appointees, one shall be appointed by the Governor for a term of three years, one shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor for a term of six years and one by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a term of nine years.

(b) The members of the commission shall continue to serve after the expiration of their terms until their successors have been appointed. In the event that the number of congressional districts shall change, incumbents on the commission shall complete their terms as members of the commission. If the number of congressional districts shall change, the membership will remain at 12 with the number of at-large memberships being adjusted, if necessary, so that each congressional district is represented. If the Senate is not in session or is in recess when the term of a member expires, the initial appointing authority shall make a temporary appointment of a succeeding member who shall serve subject to subsequent Senate approval of the appointment.

(c) Vacancies and new appointments on the commission shall be filled by appointment of the ex officio officer responsible for the initial appointment. If the Senate is not in session or is in recess when the appointment is made, the appointee shall serve subject to subsequent approval of the appointment.

(d) Any person who serves for five or more years as a member of the commission shall not be eligible for reappointment to succeed himself or herself until the next vacancy occurs after his or her successor is named.

(Acts 1969, Ex. Sess., No. 14, p. 28, §3; Acts 1979, No. 79-461, p. 816, §3.)