(a) There is hereby created the state civil service board. The board shall consist of five members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate as provided by Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-4315b and amendments thereto. Except as provided by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 46-2601, no person appointed to the board shall exercise any power, duty or function as a member of the board until confirmed by the senate.

(b) Members shall be in sympathy with the application of merit principles to public employment. Not more than three members of the board shall be of the same political party. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no member of the board may hold any other public office or public employment, except military office or the office of notary public. Subject to the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-4315c, and amendments thereto, one member shall be appointed from each congressional district and the remainder shall represent the state at large. Subsequent redistricting of congressional districts shall not disqualify any member of the board who is serving at the time of redistricting from being reappointed as a member of the board.

(c) Except as provided by subsection (d), upon the expiration of the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed as provided in subsection (a), and shall hold office for a term of four years and until a successor is appointed and confirmed. All vacancies in the board shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term in the case of vacancies occurring before the end of a term.

(d) The terms of members who are serving on the board on the effective date of this act shall expire on March 15, of the year in which such member’s term would have expired under the provisions of this section prior to amendment by this act. Thereafter, members shall be appointed for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and confirmed.