(a) The Public Service Commission is continued except that it shall consist of only 5 members, each of whom shall have been or shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by a majority of the members elected to the Senate. The terms of office of the members of the Commission serving as of June 28, 1974, shall not be affected. Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, each member shall continue to serve out the term for which each such member was originally appointed, and until each such member’s successor shall have been appointed and qualified. Each member of the Commission appointed after June 28, 1974, except a member appointed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section to fill an unexpired term, shall be appointed for a term of 5 years from May 1 in the year of that member’s appointment, and until that member’s successor shall have been appointed and qualified.

(b) Not more than 3 of the members of the Commission shall be members of the same political party. One of the members shall be a resident of the City of Wilmington, 2 shall be residents of New Castle County outside of Wilmington, 1 shall be a resident of Kent County and 1 shall be a resident of Sussex County; provided, however, that beginning with the appointment of the member for a term of 5 years beginning as of May 1, 1976, and continuously thereafter, 1 of the members shall be a resident of the City of Wilmington, 1 shall be a resident of New Castle County outside of Wilmington, 1 shall be a resident of Kent County, 1 shall be a resident of Sussex County and 1 shall be a member at large who shall be a resident of this State.

(c) A Commissioner shall continue to reside in the political subdivision of which that Commissioner was a resident at the time of the Commissioner’s appointment.

(d) In case of a vacancy on the Commission for any reason other than expiration of the term of office, the Governor shall fill such vacancy for the unexpired term by and with the consent of a majority of the members elected to the Senate.

(e) The Governor shall designate 1 of the Commissioners as Chairman of the Commission who shall serve as Chairman at the pleasure of the Governor.

47 Del. Laws, c. 254, § 1; 26 Del. C. 1953, § 102; 57 Del. Laws, c. 139, § 1; 57 Del. Laws, c. 182, § 1; 57 Del. Laws, c. 740, § 12A; 58 Del. Laws, c. 511, § 61; 59 Del. Laws, c. 397, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 1, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.