I. There shall be an appellate board consisting of 8 members, who are and continue to be residents of New Hampshire, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the executive council for 4-year terms and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Two of the members shall be attorneys-at-law admitted to the practice of law in the state of New Hampshire, one of whom shall be the chair, and one of whom shall be the vice chair and shall serve in the absence of the chair. These 2 members shall be the only members of the appellate board who are attorneys-at-law. Two members shall be representatives of business management familiar with unemployment compensation laws. Two members shall be representatives from organized labor familiar with unemployment compensation laws. Two members, who shall also be familiar with unemployment compensation laws, shall represent the public. The appointments shall be for 4 years. No person shall serve more than 8 consecutive years. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term. The members shall be paid $150 for each day or any part thereof during which they perform services, except that the chair and vice chair shall be paid $200 for each day or any part thereof during which they perform services. All members shall be reimbursed for all expenses determined by the commissioner to be necessary to the performance of their duties including mileage and board and room necessary for the conduct of hearings, except that no person who is a member of the appellate board and holds a part time, full time or per diem position with the executive, legislative or judicial branch shall receive the per diem allowance.
II. In the event of an increased workload the chair of the appellate board may request the governor with the advice and consent of the executive council to appoint up to 4 additional members to the board, with equal representation for business management and organized labor. These new members shall serve for one year from the date of appointment.