§ 106-1078.  Advisory Committee.

(a) Committee Established. - The Large Animal Healthcare Enhancement Advisory Committee is established within the North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority and shall consist of membership as follows:

(1) The Commissioner of Agriculture or an employee of the Department designated by the Commissioner, who shall serve as chair.

(2) The State Veterinarian or the State Veterinarian's designee.

(3) A member of the Food Animal Scholars Program steering and mentoring committee.

(4) Two practicing large animal veterinarians, to be appointed by the Commissioner. The veterinarians shall have different specialties in their practice.

(5) Two representatives of the livestock industry, to be appointed by the Commissioner. The representatives shall represent different segments of the livestock industry.

(6) The Executive Director of the Authority or the Executive Director's designee, who shall not be a voting member.

The Commissioner and the State Veterinarian may each designate one additional at-large member of the Advisory Committee.

(b) Terms of Members. - Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve terms of four years, beginning effective July 1 of the year of appointment.

(c) Vacancies. - Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Commission created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be made by the original appointing authority and shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.

(d) Removal. - The appointing authority shall have the power to remove any member of the Commission appointed by that authority from office for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance.

(e) Reimbursement. - The members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5.

(f) Meetings. - The Advisory Committee shall meet at least once every six months and may meet more often upon the call of the chair. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(g) Ethics. - Members of the Advisory Committee are public servants as defined by G.S. 138A-3(70).

(h) Staff. - The staff of the Authority shall serve as staff to assist the Advisory Committee in carrying out administrative functions in the discharge of its duties and responsibilities. (2023-134, s. 10.1(b).)