(1) The commission may designate one of its members as chairperson pro tem for a particular time or for an indefinite time, to serve at the will of the commission. If the commission has not designated a chairperson pro tem and the chairperson is absent from the state, ill, or otherwise unable to carry out the duties of chairperson, then the most senior member of the commission other than the chairperson shall serve as chairperson pro tem until the chairperson is again able to carry out the duties of chairperson.

(2) The chairperson pro tem may exercise all of the powers of the chairperson during the time when the chairperson is absent, ill, or otherwise unable to carry out the duties of chairperson.