Each member shall receive a compensation of one hundred dollars ($100) per day, but not to exceed eight hundred dollars ($800) for any commission business authorized by the commission during any month, when a majority of the commission approves the compensation by a recorded vote, plus the necessary expenses incurred by the member in the performance of the member’s duties. The need for up to eight days per diem per month is unique to the commission in that its members must evaluate projects and issues throughout the state in order to prioritize projects for the state transportation improvement program. These responsibilities require greater time,
attention, and travel than local or regional transportation entities which have responsibility only for individual portions of the program.