10-1-1010. Appointment of acting officials. (1) When an elected official is ordered to military service, an acting official must be appointed as provided in this section if:

(a) the elected official is precluded pursuant to federal law from performing the official duties of the office; or

(b) the elected official requests the appointment of an acting official.

(2) If an acting official is appointed, the acting official shall take any oath of office required to assume the office, shall exercise all the rights, powers, and duties vested in the office, and must be provided with all the employment rights and benefits associated with the position until the elected official is restored to office pursuant to 10-1-1008(5) or the elected official's term expires, whichever occurs first.

(3) (a) The governor shall appoint the acting official for any office elected by the state at large and for the office of district judge, public service commissioner, or any other elected regional or district office of the state.

(b) An acting official for a legislative district must be appointed using the procedures in 5-2-402.

(c) The board of county commissioners shall appoint the acting official for any elected office of a county.

(d) The city or town council shall appoint the acting official for any elected office of a city or town.

(4) For any elected office not covered under subsection (3), the governing body shall determine the method by which an acting official may be appointed pursuant to this section.

(5) An appointment of an acting official pursuant to this section must be made for a period not to exceed the unexpired term for the office and subject to the right of the elected official to be restored to the office upon returning from the military service, as provided in 10-1-1008(5).