(a) The Tennessee soybean promotion board, referred to in this chapter as the board, is created, to be composed of nine (9) members to be appointed by the commissioner of agriculture to serve for terms of three (3) years, as provided in this section. All of the nine (9) members of the board shall be producers of soybeans in the state of Tennessee. Within ten (10) days following July 1, 1977, the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, and the Tennessee Soybean Association shall each submit the names of six (6) soybean producers to the commissioner, and the commissioner shall appoint three (3) members from the nominees of each organization to serve on the board on rotating three-year terms. The original board shall be appointed with members of each of the organizations appointed as follows: one (1) for one (1) year, one (1) for two (2) years and one (1) for three (3) years. Each year thereafter, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of board members' terms, each organization shall submit the names of three (3) nominees to the commissioner, and succeeding boards shall be appointed by the commissioner in the same manner, giving equal representation to each organization. Vacancies that occur shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made. Persons who are appointed to the board shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms. The commissioner or a designee from the commissioner's staff shall serve as an advisor to the board.

(b) The members of the board shall meet and organize within thirty (30) days of their appointment, and shall elect a chair, vice chair and secretary-treasurer from the membership of the board, each to serve for one-year terms, whose duties shall be those customarily exercised by such officers or specifically designated by the board. The chair, vice chair and secretary-treasurer shall be bonded in an amount of not less than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000). The cost of the bonds shall be paid from the funds received under this part. The bond shall be a security for any unlawful act of such member of the board, and recovery on the bond may be had by the state for any injury by such unlawful act of the member. The board may establish rules and regulations for its own government and the administration of the affairs of the board.

(c) Members of the board shall not be compensated but shall be reimbursed travel expenses in accordance with the travel regulations promulgated by the commissioner of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.