(a) The administrative powers of the association shall be vested in a board of directors, which shall consist of nine persons serving terms established in the plan of operation. Seven of the board members shall be representatives of the member insurers and shall be appointed by the commissioner, with consideration given to whether all member insurers are fairly represented. One member shall be a health care provider, and another shall be a citizen, both appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) The citizen and health care provider members of the board shall receive the same compensation authorized by law for members of the Legislature for their interim duties for each day, or portion thereof, the member is engaged in the discharge of official duties. All board members shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties, except that mileage shall be reimbursed at the same rate as that authorized for members of the Legislature. All payments for compensation and expenses shall be made from the assets of the association.