CHAPTER 14. CLAIMS DUE AND AGAINST THE STATE.

ARTICLE 2. CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE.

§14-2-4a. Interim commissioners.

(a) If at any time two or more of the commissioners appointed under section four of this article are temporarily unable, due to illness or other incapacity, to perform their responsibilities the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates may appoint one or two interim commissioners to serve under the conditions specified in this section.

(b) Appointments made under this section are temporary. An interim commissioner serves under this section until the commissioner for whom the interim commissioner is temporarily replacing can resume his or her duties. In no event may the interim commissioner serve for more than three months unless reappointed.

(c) Appointments made under this section shall be made from a list furnished to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates by the Board of Governors of the West Virginia State Bar. The Board of Governors of the West Virginia State Bar shall annually, on or before January 15, submit a list of twenty qualified nominees.

(d) An interim commissioner:

(1) Is entitled to the same compensation and expense reimbursement a commissioner is entitled to under the provisions of section eight of this article;

(2) Shall take the oath of office as required in section nine of this article;

(3) Has all the authority given to a commissioner under this article; and

(4) Is required to possess the qualifications required of a commissioner in section ten of this article.

(e) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates may jointly terminate the appointment of any interim commissioner appointed under this section at any time.