[§141-2.2]  Deputy chairperson for biosecurity; established.  [Section effective January 1, 2027.]  (a)  There is established within the department a deputy chairperson for biosecurity.  The deputy chairperson for biosecurity shall oversee all of the department's biosecurity initiatives, including programs under chapters 142 and 150A and sections 141-5, 261-4.5, and 266-21.5.

     (b)  The deputy chairperson for biosecurity shall be a deputy to the chairperson of the board of agriculture and biosecurity and be appointed, without regard to chapter 76, by the governor.  The salary of the deputy chairperson for biosecurity shall be as provided in section 26-53 for first deputies or first assistants to the head of any department. [L 2025, c 236, §21]