6.__Chair.__The board shall annually elect one of its members to serve as chair for a one-year term expiring February 1st each year.__The term as chair of the first member elected to that position expires February 1, 2005.__The chair may vote on all matters before the board.

7.__Quorum.__Five members constitute a quorum.__A quorum is necessary to transact all business and carry out the duties of the board.

8.__Voting requirements.__The board may take action only by majority vote of its membership.

9.__Salary; expenses.__A board member appointed by the Governor is entitled to a per diem of $100.__Members of the board receive their actual, necessary cash expenses while on official business of the board.

10.__Headquarters; regional offices.__The board must have its central office in the Augusta area.__The board may hold sessions at any place within the State.

11.__Hiring personnel.__The board may hire personnel as needed to carry out its duties.__Personnel hired are unclassified employees, serve at the pleasure of the board and are not subject to the Civil Service Law.

12.__Budget.__The board shall administer its budget with the assistance of any personnel hired under subsection 10.

§1647.__Powers and duties

1.__Rules.__Consistent with the requirements of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, the board shall adopt rules to carry out its duties under this chapter.__Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

2.__Duties.__The board shall establish procedures to hear and decide claims of and make monetary awards to persons claiming physical injury, loss of work or other damages from the