(a) The Auditor of State is authorized and directed to pay to the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse then to the surviving children, or if there is no surviving spouse or children then to the next of kin of any member of the General Assembly who shall die before the expiration of his or her elected term, the monthly salary of the deceased member due and payable from the time of death to:
(1) The expiration of the deceased member's term; or
(2) Until the deceased member's successor shall have been elected and qualified.
(b) The payment shall be made monthly and shall be payable from the funds appropriated for the payment of legislative salaries.