(a) At each general election immediately following a decennial reapportionment of districts, one member shall be elected to the board from each district. Except as provided by Subsection (b), members of the board serve staggered terms of four years with the terms of eight members expiring on January 1 of one odd-numbered year and the terms of seven members expiring on January 1 of the next odd-numbered year.(b) Seven members of the board elected at each general election following a decennial reapportionment of districts shall serve two-year terms and eight members shall serve four-year terms. Members shall draw lots to determine who serves which terms.(c) If a position on the board becomes vacant, the governor shall fill the vacancy as soon as possible by appointing a qualified person from the affected district with the advice and consent of the senate.(d) A vacancy that occurs at a time when it is impossible to place the name of a candidate for the unexpired term on the general election ballot is filled by appointment, as prescribed by Subsection (c).(e) An appointment to a vacancy on the board shall be made without regard to the race, creed, sex, religion, or national origin of the appointed member.Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. 5/30/1995.