The new motor vehicle arbitration panel or panels shall begin operating on January 2, 1991. The administrator in his discretion may establish and operate the panel or panels under any of the following procedures, provided that disputes filed during the same time period shall not be handled under different procedures: (1) contracting with private or public entities to conduct arbitrations under the procedures and standards in this article, (2) appointing private citizens to serve on a panel or panels, or (3) hiring temporary or permanent employees to serve on the panel or panels. Each new motor vehicle arbitration panel shall consist of three members, none of whom may be directly or indirectly involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale, or service of any motor vehicle or employed by or related to the consumer. All panel members shall have a degree from an American Bar Association Accredited School of Law or shall have at least two years' experience in professional arbitration. Any private citizens appointed by the administrator to serve as panel members shall be reimbursed for expenses as are members of the General Assembly and shall be compensated at an hourly rate as determined by the administrator. Temporary or permanent employees hired to serve on the panels shall be in the unclassified service and may serve on a full or part-time basis at a salary determined by the administrator. All administrative staff hired by the administrator to aid in the administration of this article shall be in the unclassified service and compensated at a salary determined by the administrator.