This bill appropriates $1,500,000 from the strategic investment and improvements fund to the agriculture commissioner for a county fair resiliency grant program. The funding is designated for grants to county agriculture fair associations to support the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure projects, with the program set to run until June 30, 2027. Each county agriculture fair association can receive a maximum of $100,000, and recipients are required to provide matching funds from nonstate sources at a rate of one dollar for every two dollars of grant funding received. The agriculture commissioner is tasked with creating guidelines for the distribution of these grants, which may include cash or in-kind contributions as matching funds.
Additionally, the bill declares itself an emergency measure, indicating the urgency of the funding and the need for immediate implementation. This provision emphasizes the importance of supporting county fairs and their infrastructure to ensure their resilience and continued operation.