(a) There is created the Alabama Real Estate Commission. The commission shall consist of nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate as hereinafter provided. The Governor's appointments to the commission, except for the appointment of the consumer member made pursuant to subsection (e), shall be made from a list of three persons nominated by the governing body of the Alabama Professional Real Estate Society or trade association which has the largest licensee membership, as evidenced by the filing of a verified list of paid members with the Secretary of State within 10 days of April 6, and annually by December 31 of each year thereafter. At least one of the persons nominated for each commission seat shall not be a member of the Real Estate Society or trade association. The Governor shall appoint one of the three nominated persons within 30 days following receipt of the list. If the Governor does not make an appointment within 30 days, the said Real Estate Society or trade association shall provide the Governor a list of three additional nominees. The Governor, upon receipt of the second list of nominees, shall appoint one of the six nominees within 30 days following receipt of the nominees. Appointments made at times when the Senate is not in session shall be effective ad interim. Any appointment made by the Governor while the Senate is in session shall be submitted not later than the third legislative day following the date of appointment. Any appointment made while the Senate is not in session shall be submitted not later than the third legislative day following the reconvening of the Legislature.

(b) Ad interim appointments may be made by the Governor when the Legislature is not in session only for vacancies occurring by reason of death or resignation of a board member. Ad interim appointments shall be confirmed by the Senate at the next following regular or special session of the Legislature. Failure by the Senate to confirm shall result in a vacancy on the board that shall be filled by appointment by the Governor and confirmation by the Senate while the Legislature is in session. Any vacancy not acted upon shall remain a vacancy until it is filled at a subsequent session of the Legislature in the manner prescribed in this section.

(c) Each of the original seven appointees and their successors shall have been a resident and citizen of this state for at least 10 years prior to his or her appointment and whose vocation for at least 10 years shall have been that of a real estate broker or real estate salesperson. No person convicted of a violation of any federal or state real estate license law shall be eligible to serve. Not more than one member from any United States Congressional District shall be appointed to serve at the same time. The members of the commission shall serve five-year terms. On and after April 7, 1988, no member shall serve for more than two consecutive terms of office, except, however, each member shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The period of time any member serves after the expiration of his or her term of office while awaiting the appointment and Senate confirmation of his or her successor shall not be considered as a consecutive term of office in determining the two consecutive terms of office limitation herein provided. All appointments shall expire on September 30 of the final year of a term, or on the date a successor to the member is appointed and confirmed. If a member does not serve his or her full term, the Governor shall appoint, in the same manner as original appointments are made, subject to confirmation by the Senate, a member to serve the unexpired portion of the term.

(d) On September 30, 1988, the Governor shall appoint one new member to the commission, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, who shall be a Black member who meets all of the other requirements of subsection (c), who shall serve no more than two consecutive terms of office, who shall be a full voting member, and who may be appointed from any congressional district in the state. Each successor Black member shall be appointed from a different congressional district, to be rotated equally among the remaining congressional districts.

(e) On October 1, 1996, the Governor shall appoint one new member to the commission, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, who shall be a consumer member. The consumer member of the commission shall serve no more than two consecutive terms of office, shall be a full voting member, and shall be initially appointed from any congressional district in the state. Each successor consumer member shall be appointed from a different congressional district, on a rotating basis, among the remaining congressional districts. The consumer member shall meet all of the following requirements, that he or she:

(1) Is 21 years of age or older.

(2) Has been a resident and citizen of this state for at least 10 years prior to appointment.

(3) Is a registered voter in this state.

(4) Has no felony convictions.

(5) Is the owner of real property.

(6) Has not been a licensed real estate broker or salesperson for the 10 years preceding appointment.

(7) Is not related to, by blood or marriage, or employed by, a real estate licensee.

(f) On the appointment of a new commissioner, the commission shall meet and select from its members a chair.

(g) Each member of the commission shall receive as full compensation three hundred dollars ($300) per month. The members of the commission, its staff, and attorneys shall receive the same per diem and travel allowance paid to state employees for each day they meet to conduct the official business of the commission.

(h) The commission may employ an executive director and an assistant executive director, both of whom shall be exempted from the classified service under the general laws of the state, and other staff members necessary to discharge its duties and administer this chapter. The executive director and assistant executive director shall be employed on the basis of their education, experience, and skills in administration and management. The commission shall advertise to seek quality applicants possessing the qualifications and shall conduct interviews of the top applicants. The assistant executive director shall act as and have authority of the executive director in his or her absence. The commission shall determine the duties and fix the compensation of the executive director, assistant executive director, and other staff members, subject to the general laws of the state.

(i) The commission shall adopt a seal by which it shall authenticate records and documents. Copies of all records and documents in the office of the commission duly certified and authenticated by the seal of the commission shall be received in evidence in all courts equally and with the same effect as the original. All public records kept in the office of the commission shall be open to public inspection during reasonable hours and under reasonable circumstances.

(j) No commissioner shall be liable for damages resulting from any act performed in carrying out his or her duties as a commissioner.