(A) There is created the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry, which consists of seven members. Five members must be licensed optometrists appointed by the Governor upon nomination by all licensed optometrists in this State through an election conducted by the board. The Governor may reject any or all of those nominated upon satisfactory showing of the unfitness of those rejected. If the Governor declines to appoint any of the nominees submitted, additional nominees must be submitted in the same manner as the initial nominees. Vacancies must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. Two members of the board must be members of the general public who do not derive their income or support from any optical or optical-related business and who are not related to an optometrist or a person engaged in an optical-related business. The members from the general public may be nominated by any individual, group, or association and must be appointed by the Governor in accordance with Chapter 1 of Title 40.

(B) The members of the board serve terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. No person may serve more than two consecutive four-year terms; however, a person appointed to fill an unexpired term may be reappointed for two additional four-year terms. The Governor may remove a member of the board in accordance with Section 1-3-240. No member may be removed without first giving the member an opportunity to refute the charges filed against the member, who must be given a copy of the charges at the time they are filed.

(C) Any business conducted by the board must be by a positive majority vote. For purposes of this subsection "positive majority vote" means a majority vote of the entire membership of the board, reduced by any vacancies existing at the time.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 135, Section 1.

Editor's Note

Prior Laws:1917 (30) 1; Civ. C. '22 Section 2455; 1932 Code Section 5234; 1932 (37) 1333; 1942 Code Section 5234; 1952 Code Section 56-1053; 1962 Code Section 56-1053; 1978 Act No. 570, Section 3; 1982 Act No. 395, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 65, Section 4; 1976 Code Section 40-37-20.