(a) In this section, "trade association" means a nonprofit, cooperative, and voluntarily joined association of business or professional competitors designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in promoting their common interest.
(b) A person may not serve as public counsel if the person has been, within the previous two years:
(1) an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a trade association in the field of workers' compensation; or
(2) the spouse of an officer, manager, or paid consultant of a trade association in the field of workers' compensation.