(1) A growth management hearings board for the state of Washington is created. The board shall consist of seven members qualified by experience ((or))and training in matters pertaining to land use law or land use planning and who have experience in the practical application of those matters as demonstrated to the senate. All seven board members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, two each residing respectively in the central Puget Sound, eastern Washington, and western Washington regions, plus one board member residing within the state of Washington. At least three members of the board shall be admitted to practice law in this state, one each residing respectively in the central Puget Sound, eastern Washington, and western Washington regions. At least three members of the board shall have been a city or county elected official, one each residing respectively in the central Puget Sound, eastern Washington, and western Washington regions. At least three members of the board shall have experience as a city or county planner, one each residing respectively in the central Puget Sound, eastern Washington, and western Washington regions. After expiration of the terms of board members on the previously existing three growth management hearings boards, no more than four members of the seven-member board may be members of the same major political party. No more than two members at the time of their appointment or during their term may reside in the same county.

(2) Each member of the board shall be appointed for a term of six years. A vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate for the unexpired portion of the term in which the vacancy occurs. Members of the previously existing three growth management hearings boards appointed before July 1, 2010, shall complete their staggered, six-year terms as members of the growth management hearings board created under subsection (1) of this section. The reduction from nine board members on the previously existing three growth management hearings boards to seven total members on the growth management hearings board shall be made through attrition, voluntary resignation, or retirement.