Topeka ? Gov. Sam Brownback plans to appoint a committee to advise him on the state’s role in bringing a new biosecurity lab in Manhattan.

Brownback has scheduled a news conference for today in Shawnee to sign an executive order forming the committee.

The governor’s office said in a news release that the committee will help Brownback with the state’s role in the building of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan. It also will help with moving research projects from the current laboratory in Plum Island, N.Y.

The new plant is scheduled to be fully operational in 2018. Research at the facility will focus on animal disease and agro-terrorism.

Brownback spokeswoman Sherriene Jones-Sontag said state and federal legislators and representatives would be part of the committee.