In all situations wherein the director of highways, the director of aeronautics, or any one of their designees, or any member of the highway commission, the toll bridge authority, the aeronautics commission, or the canal commission, or any one of their designees was on September 21, 1977, designated or serving as a member of any board, commission, committee, or authority, the chair of the transportation commission or the chair's designee who shall be an employee of the department of transportation, shall hereafter determine who shall serve as such member.