Except for the ex officio members of the commission, each member of the commission shall have an alternate member elected in the same manner as the member. An alternate member, in the absence of the member for whom he or she is an alternate, shall serve in place of the member on the commission. An alternate member may also serve in place of any other absent member of the same classification, producer or handler, if the member’s alternate is also absent. However, an alternate may not serve in place of more than one absent member at a meeting. An alternate member serving in place of a

member shall have and be able to exercise all rights, privileges, and powers of the member when serving on the commission. In the event of death, removal, resignation, or the disqualification of a member, the alternate for the member, or another alternate of the same classification if the alternate for the member is absent, shall act as a member on the commission until a qualified successor is elected.