An Act to allow for the appointment of county coroner by all counties.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That § 7-7-1 be AMENDED:

7-7-1. Except when otherwise expressly provided, the regular term of office for all a county officers officer, when elected for a full term, shall commence on the first Monday in January next succeeding their the election, except the office of county auditor, the term of which shall begin on the first Monday of March next succeeding his the election. If the office to which any officer was elected be vacant at the time of his the election, or becomes vacant after such the election, even if he the officer was not elected to fill a vacancy, he the officer shall forthwith qualify and enter upon the duties of his office.

The board of county commissioners shall make an appointment to fill a vacancy in a county office for the remainder of the term by majority vote, pursuant to §§ 3-4-3 to 3-4-7, inclusive.

Section 2. That § 7-7-1.4 be AMENDED:

7-7-1.4. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 7-7-1.1, the board of county commissioners in any county with a population of sixty thousand or more may, by resolution, appoint submit the question of the appointment of a coroner by the county commission to the voters in the same manner as prescribed in chapter 7-6 who shall serve at the pleasure of such board. However, no If the question to approve the county commission to appoint the coroner in place of an election is approved by the voters, the board of county commissioners may exercise the authority granted pursuant to this section unless:

(1) Not later than the April first preceding the election for coroner, the board, by resolution, adopts the appointment option; and

(2) The appointment of any appointed coroner may not take effect not appoint a coroner until the expiration of the term of office of any duly elected coroner.