1.    The state board of agricultural research and education consists of:

a.    The president of North Dakota state university or the president’s designee; b.    The vice president of agricultural affairs at North Dakota state university, who serves in an ex officio nonvoting capacity; c.    The administrator of the agricultural experiment station, who serves in an ex officio nonvoting capacity; d.    The five persons appointed to the state board of agricultural research and education by the ag coalition; e.    The five persons appointed to the state board of agricultural research and education by the extension service’s multicounty program units; f.    The agriculture commissioner, who serves in an ex officio nonvoting capacity; g.    The director of the North Dakota state university extension service, who serves in an ex officio nonvoting capacity; and

h.    Two members of the legislative assembly appointed by the chairman of the legislative management. The chairman shall appoint one member from each political faction. The terms of members are for two years and members may be reappointed. The legislative council shall pay the compensation and expense reimbursement for the legislative members.

2.     a.    The initial five members appointed by the ag coalition shall select their terms by lot so that one member serves for one year, one member serves for two years, one member serves for three years, one member serves for four years, and one member serves for five years.

b.    The initial five members appointed by the extension service’s multicounty program units shall select their terms by lot so that one member serves for one year, one member serves for two years, one member serves for three years, one member serves for four years, and one member serves for five years.

3.    At the completion of each initial term, the term of office for each member is four years, beginning on July first. An individual may be reappointed to a second four-year term.

4.     a.    At least ninety days before the term of a member appointed by the ag coalition expires, the ag coalition shall provide to the state board of higher education a list of one or more names from which the state board of higher education shall appoint a successor. The state board of higher education shall ensure four out of the five seats are held by agricultural producers.

b.    At least ninety days before the term of a member appointed by the extension service’s multicounty program units expires, the units through their advisory groups shall provide to the state board of higher education a list of one or more names from which the state board of higher education shall appoint a successor. The state board of higher education shall ensure four out of the five seats are held by agricultural producers.

5.    If an appointed position becomes vacant, the vacancy must be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the initial appointment except that the ninety-day requirement is waived. An individual appointed under this subsection is eligible to serve two full terms after completing the unexpired term for which the individual was appointed.