(a) When any member of the Arkansas Public Service Commission is disqualified for any reason to hear and participate in the determination of any matter pending before the commission, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person to hear and participate in the decision on the particular matter.
(b) The special member so appointed shall have all authority and responsibility with respect to the particular matter before the commission as if the person were a regular member of the commission, but he or she shall have no authority or responsibility with respect to any other matter before the commission.
(c) A person appointed as a special member of the commission pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be entitled to receive per diem not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each day spent in attending to his or her duties as a special member of the commission. This compensation shall be paid from any funds of the commission which are available for or may legally be used for paying the per diem.