(a) The commission shall be composed of eighteen members and shall be so constituted that (1) one-third of the members of the commission are elected public officials, or their representatives, unless the number of such officials reasonably available or willing to serve is less than one-third of the membership of the commission; (2) at least one-third of the members are persons chosen in accordance with democratic selection procedures adequate to assure that they are representative of the poor in the areas served; and (3) the remainder of the members are officials or members of business, industry, labor, religious, welfare, education, or other major groups and interests in the two counties served.

(b) The commission shall be authorized to increase the total membership, if necessary, to comply with the provisions of § 43-43-80, or to meet additional federal requirements, provided, however, that any such increase shall be accomplished in multiples of three in order to retain the basic structure of the commission as provided for in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) In the event the commission membership is increased under the provisions of § 43-43-80, the three new seats shall be apportioned by the commission among the participating counties, to include a seat for the petitioning group, according to federal regulatory measures promulgated under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, (PL 92-424), as amended, and the Headstart, Economic Opportunity, and Community Partnership Act of 1974 (PL 93-644).