(a) The members of the Board of Natural Resources shall elect a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a secretary. These officers shall be elected for a period of one year and shall be elected annually at the January meeting.

(b) The board shall hold regular meetings at least once every 60 days and may not hold more than six special or called meetings in any one calendar year. A special or called meeting may be called by the chairman or a majority of the members of the board. The board shall meet at such times and at such designated places in this state as it may determine.

(c) Eight members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

(d) The members, including the chairman, shall each receive the per diem prescribed in Code Section 45-7-21 for each day of actual attendance at official meetings of the board; shall be reimbursed at the legal mileage rate when traveling in the service of the board by personal vehicle, and in addition to mileage shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred by reason of tolls and parking fees; and shall be reimbursed for actual costs of travel by public carrier. The members, including the chairman, while on committee assignment shall receive $25.00 per diem; actual cost of expenses, including meals, lodging, and transportation; and 10¢ per mile for transportation by private means to the place of service and home by the nearest practicable route. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section, the total per diem compensation paid in any year to any member of the board shall not exceed $1,200.00. Such per diem and actual expense shall be paid from funds of the department.