1. Beginning August 28, 1996, the parole board shall consist of seven members appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate.

2. Beginning August 28, 1996, members of the board shall be persons of recognized integrity and honor, known to possess education and ability in decision making through career experience and other qualifications for the successful performance of their official duties. Not more than four members of the board shall be of the same political party.

3. At the expiration of the term of each member and of each succeeding member, the governor shall appoint a successor who shall hold office for a term of six years and until his successor has been appointed and qualified. Members may be appointed to succeed themselves.

4. Vacancies occurring in the office of any member shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired term.

5. The governor shall designate one member of the board as chair and one member as vice chair. The chair shall establish the duties and responsibilities of the members of the board and supervise their performance and may require reports from any member as to his or her conduct and exercise of duties. In the event of the chair’s removal, death, resignation, or inability to serve, the vice chair shall act as chair upon written order of the governor or chair.

6. Members of the board shall devote full time to the duties of their office and before taking office shall subscribe to an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Missouri. The oath shall be signed in the office of the secretary of state.

7. The annual compensation for each member of the board whose term commenced before August 28, 1999, shall be forty-five thousand dollars plus any salary adjustment, including prior salary adjustments, provided pursuant to section 105.005^*. Salaries for board members whose terms commence after August 27, 1999, shall be set as provided in section 105.950; provided, however, that the compensation of a board member shall not be increased during the member’s term of office, except as provided in section 105.005. In addition to compensation provided by law, the members shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary travel and other expenses incurred pursuant to section 33.090.

8. Any person who served as a member of the board of probation and parole prior to July 1, 2000, shall be made, constituted, appointed and employed by the board of trustees of the state employees’ retirement system as a special consultant on the problems of retirement, aging and other state matters. As compensation for such services, such consultant shall not be denied use of any unused sick leave, or the ability to receive credit for unused sick leave pursuant to chapter 104, provided such sick leave was maintained by the board of probation and parole in the regular course of business prior to July 1, 2000, but only to the extent of such sick leave records are consistent with the rules promulgated pursuant to section 36.350. Nothing in this section shall authorize the use of any other form of leave that may have been maintained by the board prior to July 1, 2000.