Each member of the medical negligence review panel shall be paid at the rate of $100 per diem plus actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties, but not to exceed a total of $700 for both expenses and compensation paid to any 1 member of the panel for 1 matter. The member of the Commissioner's staff designated to serve as a panel's ex-officio member shall receive only actual and necessary expenses incurred as compensation. The medical negligence review panel shall have the authority to assess such costs, up to a maximum amount of $1,000, upon the party or parties against whom the majority opinion of the panel is rendered; provided, however, that this power to assess costs shall be discretionary and the panel shall assess such costs only in those cases where they deem it appropriate. In the event that a judgment shall be entered in any Superior Court action on the same matter, the fees and expenses of the panel may be assessed as costs to the extent allowable above and shall follow such judgment.