S.C. Code Ann. § 8-17-375

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, employees of an executive department of this State, except for the Department of Transportation, enumerated in Section 1-30-10(A) with a governing board who are unclassified, whose employment or compensation are decided by the governing board subject to specified approvals provided by law, and whose appointment or employment is subject to Senate confirmation may not be reassigned, terminated, or have their compensation reduced, except by majority vote of the governing board and approval by the Senate upon advice and consent prior to the action being taken or an interim appointment being made.