S.C. passes bills to appoint adjutant general - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

S.C. passes bills to appoint adjutant general

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s adjutant general could be appointed by the governor under legislation approved by the House.

The House voted Wednesday on measures changing the state constitution to make the state’s top military officer an appointed position. One measure puts the question on 2014 ballots. The other sets the post’s terms and qualifications.

Adjutant Gen. Robert Livingston joined House Speaker Bobby Harrell in endorsing for the legislation introduced last month. They say the state’s military leader should not be forced to run a political campaign every four years.

South Carolina is the only state that elects its top military officer by popular vote.

The adjutant general oversees the state’s 11,000-member Military Department. That includes the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, the State Guard and the state’s Emergency Management Division.