There is created the Beaufort Technical College Area Commission which shall serve as the governing body of Beaufort Technical College. The commission is a body politic and corporate and consists of seven members who must be appointed in the manner hereinafter specified. Four members must be residents of Beaufort County, one member must be a resident of Colleton County, one member must be a resident of Hampton County, and one member must be a resident of Jasper County, all of whom must be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of a majority of the members of the General Assembly representing that county. The members of the commission must be appointed for terms of four years each and until their successors are appointed and qualify, except that two members from Beaufort County, and one member each from Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties shall serve initial terms of two years each, the initial terms of all members to be designated by the Governor when making the initial appointments.

Any vacancy must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term only. As soon as possible after the initial appointments have been made, the commission shall organize by electing one of its members as chairman, one as vice-chairman, and one as secretary. The terms of the initial appointees are extended so that all terms expire on the first of July of the appropriate year.