(a) The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is established to be operated under the control and supervision of the commission. The expenses of the commission and of operating said office shall be paid by the state out of funds appropriated for the purpose. The office shall be directed by a Chief Medical Examiner who shall be appointed by the commission. His office shall be located at a medical school in this state. The Chief Medical Examiner or any member of the professional staff of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who is summoned to give expert testimony in a civil action in his capacity as the Chief Medical Examiner or a member of the office shall be allowed and paid a witness fee of five hundred dollars for each day or portion thereof the Chief Medical Examiner or such staff member is required to attend court. Such fee shall be taxed as a part of the costs of the action and be paid by the party requesting the appearance, and any such fee received shall be deposited in the General Fund except no fee shall be imposed if the requesting party is the state.

(b) The Commission on Medicolegal Investigations shall prescribe fees to be charged for expert services, including witness and consultation services, provided by the Chief Medical Examiner or any member of the professional staff of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The commission shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 concerning the application and collection of such fees.