(a) The Governor shall appoint a State Board of Auctioneers to be comprised of seven auctioneer members and one consumer member. Except as otherwise provided by Act 98-271, all appointments and subsequent appointments by the Governor shall be for a term of five years, with each auctioneer member appointed being a resident of a different congressional district and the consumer member being a resident of and appointed from the state at-large. Within 60 days after July 1, 1998, the Governor shall appoint one additional auctioneer member provided for herein for a term of two years and the other additional auctioneer member provided for in Act 98-271 shall be appointed by the Governor for a term of four years. Thereafter, subsequent appointments shall be for a term of five years. Appointments shall end on the anniversary date of the original appointments, except appointments to fill a vacancy which shall be for the unexpired term only. No member shall serve more than two consecutive terms of office. Each member of the board and his or her successor shall have been a resident and citizen of this state for at least five years prior to his or her appointment. Each auctioneer member of the board and his or her successor shall have been a licensed auctioneer in this state for at least five years. Each member shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed by the Governor. The membership of the board shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.

(b) Each auctioneer member of the board shall be of good moral character and shall have been licensed by the board and actively engaged in the auction business for at least five years prior to the appointment.

(c) On the appointment of a new auctioneer board member, the board shall, at its next meeting, elect one of its members as chair, one member as vice-chair, one member as secretary, and any other officers deemed necessary. The board may do all things necessary and convenient for carrying into effect this chapter. The board may make bylaws, rules, and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter or other general laws of the state.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in Section 34-4-53, members of the board, board staff, and board 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 board.

(e) The board may employ an administrator who shall be exempt from the classified service of the state, and other staff members necessary to discharge board duties and administer this chapter. The administrator shall be employed on the basis of his or her education, experience, and skills in administration and management. The board shall determine the duties and fix the compensation of the administrator and other staff members, subject to the general laws of the state.

(f) The board shall adopt a seal by which the board shall authenticate records and documents. On the seal shall be the words State Board of Auctioneers. Copies of all records and documents in the office of the board that are duly certified and authenticated by the seal of the board 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 board shall be open to public inspection during reasonable hours.