S.C. Code Ann. § 2-3-155: Appointment of Executive Director of Research and Directors of Research for each standing committee; funding of research assistants.

(A) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint the Executive Director of Research. The Speaker, with the advice and consent of the individual committee chairmen, shall appoint the Director of Research for each standing committee.

(B) Necessary temporary or permanent research assistants for the House of Representatives must be paid from approved accounts of the House of Representatives upon the approval of the Speaker with the advice and consent of the applicable standing committee chairman. The Speaker may adjust salary levels of House employees using funds carried forward from the research assistant accounts.