247.220 Grant of funds to local fairs for premiums and facilities -- Fair Council -- Meetings -- Members. (1) The Commissioner of Agriculture shall make grants of state funds to qualified local agricultural fairs on a matching basis, to be used by them to pay premium awards for exhibits and displays of domestic livestock, poultry, harness horse racing, other horse events, and agricultural products. The premiums actually awarded shall conform to those appearing on the premium list issued by the fair. (2) The state may provide funds for use in the establishment of new facilities and improvement of existing facilities for use in conducting events at local agricultural fairs as provided by this section. No grant for buildings shall be made until the local fair board has complied with the local fair program and qualified for the state grant as provided in subsection (5) of this section. Grants for facilities shall be made under regulations promulgated by the Fair Council and the Commissioner of Agriculture. In no event shall the allocation for facilities result in a decrease in the number of approved agricultural classes or premiums. (3) There shall be a Fair Council in the Department of Agriculture. The council shall act in an advisory capacity to the Commissioner in all matters pertaining to the administration of the department's fair program. It shall be called into session when there are matters for its consideration. It shall meet at least twice each calendar year at Frankfort or at any other place that may be determined. (4) (a) The council shall be composed of the: 1. Commissioner as chairman ex officio; 2. Presidents or their designated representatives of the following state groups: a. Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation; b. Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Shows, Inc.; c. Kentucky Colt Racing Association; d. American Saddlebred Horse Association; and e. Kentucky Walking Horse Association; 3. Agricultural Education Consultant of the Kentucky Department of Education; 4. Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; 5. Co-chairs of the Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture; and 6. A representative appointed by the Commissioner who is involved with, or experienced in, animal agriculture. (b) The Commissioner may, with the concurrence of a majority of the members of the council, appoint additional members to the council. (5) To qualify for a grant of state funds, a fair shall meet standards set by the Commissioner and his advisory council whose approval may be given only if the fair: (a) Provides in its bylaws for holding an annual fair running for at least three (3) days; (b) Presents, through the medium of youth organizations such as 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America, and other similar organizations, an educational program concerning the production and marketing of the livestock, poultry, and horse industries; (c) Complies with all administrative regulations which the Department of Agriculture is hereby authorized to promulgate; and (d) Appoints one (1) or more members to its fair board from local livestock associations, horsemen's associations, and county farm bureaus, and selects one (1) or more county extension agents and vocational agriculture teachers for counties served by the fair as members of the board. Wherever local livestock associations, horsemen's associations, and farm bureaus are in existence, appointees are to be nominated to the fair board by these organizations. Where fairs serve an area, appointments may be made from all counties within the particular area. It shall be the responsibility of the appointees to aid in establishing premium lists and planning agricultural exhibits. (6) Any fair receiving a grant of state funds shall file with the director of the Shows and Fairs Division in the Department of Agriculture, by December 1 of the year in which the grant is received, satisfactory proof that all state premium awards have been paid and a certified notarized financial report submitted by the treasurer of the local fair association. Effective: July 14, 2018 History: Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 3, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2018. -- Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 142, sec. 6, effective April 27, 2016. -- Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 5, effective July 15, 2010. -- Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 49, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 317, sec. 1. -- Amended 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 215, sec. 1. -- Amended 1968 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 1. -- Amended 1962 Ky. Acts ch. 241, sec. 1. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 39-1, 39-2.