In addition to the commission members appointed under RCW 67.16.012, there shall be four ex officio nonvoting members consisting of: (1) Two members of the senate, one from the majority political party and one from the minority political party, both to be appointed by the president of the senate; and (2) two members of the house of representatives, one from the majority political party and one from the minority political party, both to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. The appointments shall be for the term of two years or for the period in which the appointee serves as a legislator, whichever expires first. Members may be reappointed, and vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments are made. The ex officio members shall assist in the policy making, rather than administrative, functions of the commission, and shall collect data deemed essential to future legislative proposals and exchange information with the commission. The ex officio members shall be deemed engaged in legislative business while in attendance upon the business of the commission and shall be limited to such allowances therefor as otherwise provided in RCW 44.04.120, the same to be paid from the horse racing commission fund as being expenses relative to commission business.