(a) There is hereby created a board of three members to be appointed by the governor, which shall be known as the abstracters’ board of examiners. This board shall consist of individuals who are at the time of their appointment and have for five years immediately prior thereto actively engaged in the business of making abstracts to real-estate titles in the state of Kansas in the county of which they are a resident, which board shall at all times consist of one member who is a resident of a county having a population of less than 9,000 persons; one member who is a resident of a county having a population of more than 9,000 persons and not more than 17,000 persons, and one member who is a resident of a county having a population of more than 17,000 persons.

(b) Upon the expiration of the term of office of any member, the governor shall appoint a successor for a term of three years; vacancies on the board caused by death, resignation or otherwise, shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the governor. The board shall organize annually by electing a chairperson. It may adopt such rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary for the proper administration of its powers and duties and the carrying out of the purposes of this act. The board shall have a seal and shall have power to compel the attendance of witnesses; the chairperson or any member of said board shall have the power to administer oaths.

(c) Members of the abstracters’ board of examiners attending meetings of such board, or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by such board, shall be paid compensation, subsistence allowances, mileage and other expenses as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3223.

(d) The board may appoint an executive secretary who shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive an annual salary fixed by the board and approved by the governor.