The State Commissioner of Agriculture shall act as compact administrator for the State of South Carolina, and shall also be a member and serve as chairman of the state's delegation to the Southern Interstate Dairy Compact Commission. With the advice and consent of the Senate, the Governor shall appoint four additional delegates to represent the State on the Southern Dairy Compact Commission provided for in Article III of the compact. The four additional delegates must include two dairy producers actually engaged in the production of milk at the time of their appointment or reappointment, one milk processor actually engaged in the processing of milk in this State into milk products for public consumption at the time of his appointment or reappointment, and one consumer representative from the public at large. Each delegate appointed by the Governor shall serve for a term of four years and shall diligently and conscientiously strive to achieve the purposes of the Southern Dairy Compact. Vacancies in the state's delegation shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments for the unexpired term. Delegates whose expenses are not paid or reimbursed by the Southern Interstate Dairy Compact Commission may submit claims for travel and per diem to the Department of Agriculture. Upon approval of the claims by the Compact Administrator, or his designee, delegates shall receive per diem not to exceed thirty-five dollars for each day of service plus reimbursement at the prevailing state rate for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as delegates. The Commissioner of Agriculture may provide funding and facilities as necessary to support and enable the delegation to perform its mission under the compact from funds appropriated to the Department of Agriculture.
HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 420, Section 1, eff June 8, 1998.