(a) When any member of a state commission, board, council, committee, or similar body is disqualified or is otherwise temporarily unable or unwilling to serve in regard to any matter or matters pending before the entity, the Governor or other appointing authority may appoint a qualified person to serve as a special member of the entity to hear and participate in the decision on the particular matter or matters.
(b) The special board member appointed under this section shall have all authority and responsibility of a regular board member with respect to the particular matter or matters before the entity but shall have no authority or responsibility with respect to any other matter or matters before the board.
(c) The chair of the entity requesting a special board member shall inform the Governor or other appointing authority of the request in writing no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting in which the special board member shall serve.
(d) A person appointed as a special member of a state commission, board, council, committee, or similar body pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be entitled to receive stipends and expense reimbursement in the same amount and under the same procedure as prescribed for regular members. The stipends and expense reimbursement shall be paid from the same source as stipends and expense reimbursement payment to regular members.