A. The members of the board shall receive a per diem of thirty dollars for each day spent in attending hearings held by the board and thirty dollars per day for each day spent in attending meetings of the board or in performing such duties as may be required of them by law or by the directives or instructions of the board, and they shall also receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in attending such hearings or meetings or in performing such duties; provided, however, that no member shall receive per diem and expenses for more than twelve days per calendar year spent in attending meetings of the board. In applying the foregoing limitation, days spent in attending hearings held by the board or in performing such duties as may be required of them by law or by the directives or instructions of the board are not to be counted. The members of the board shall elect a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a secretary at the first meeting of the board and annually thereafter at the first meeting held by the board after August 1 of each year. The date, time, and place of the first meeting shall be fixed by the governor. Four members of the board shall constitute a quorum. However, hearings may be held by such smaller number of board members as the board may determine. For good cause, the board may designate a hearing officer for adjudicatory proceedings, who shall conduct the hearing and who shall, at the conclusion of the hearing, present the entire record of the proceeding to the board for disposition.
B. The board shall employ a director and assistant director who shall be appointed by the board, subject to the approval of the commissioner. The director and assistant director shall be in the unclassified service. The board shall employ such other assistants and employees, permanent and temporary, as may be necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the board, and shall determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. The board shall employ a licensed attorney of the state of Louisiana as its legal counsel, who shall serve on a full-time or a part-time basis, and the board may obtain the services of such additional attorneys as it deems necessary. The board may also contract for auditing and other technical services, whenever it determines that such services are needed.