This bill changes the definition of "agricultural fair" and prohibits an agricultural fair licensee from operating an agricultural fair outside of the assigned fair dates set by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and from advertising or marketing an agricultural fair as taking place outside of the assigned fair dates. The bill provides that a fair licensee may host an exhibition up to 24 hours prior to the assigned fair dates for the purposes of displaying and awarding prizes on nonlivestock competitions. The bill also provides that the commissioner may suspend or revoke the license of a licensee that violates these provisions. The bill also provides that if a public or private pulling event is scheduled at an agricultural fair, the pulling event must take place during the dates for which the applicable agricultural fair license is effective and specifies that a pulling event that is not conducted in accordance with this provision is not entitled to a stipend. Finally, the bill directs the commissioner, in consultation with the State Harness Racing Commission, to review rules regarding standards for setting harness racing dates to determine if rule changes are necessary and to report the commissioner's findings to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 2096, HP 1411: 7.81, 7.86