SDCL § 42-12-8.1: Terms--Vacancies.

Each appointment to the commission shall be for a period of three years except for the initial appointments which shall be for staggered terms. Each member shall serve until the expiration of the term for which the commissioner was appointed or until the member's successor is appointed and qualified to serve on the commission. If a vacancy occurs other than by expiration of term, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. The appointment to an unexpired term is not considered a full term. No member may serve more than three consecutive full terms.