Bill > HB1631

This bill enacts the "Tennessee Agricultural Fair and Livestock Show Act" and the "Tennessee State Fair Act," establishing new provisions for supporting and regulating agricultural fairs and livestock shows across the state. The "Tennessee Agricultural Fair and Livestock Show Act" defines terms like "agricultural fair" (a non-profit exhibition promoting agriculture through education and activities) and "livestock show" (a non-profit exhibition focused on judging livestock based on breed standards), and grants the Commissioner of Agriculture the authority to disburse state funds to support these events, including providing "premiums" (cash awards) for competitions and offering "awards of merit" to outstanding agricultural fairs based on criteria like exhibit quality and community participation. The "Tennessee State Fair Act" outlines the intent to hold an annual state fair for the promotion of agriculture and forestry, defining "fair" broadly to include educational and entertainment aspects, and empowers the Commissioner of Agriculture to select an "operator" (an entity responsible for managing the fair) and oversee its operations. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to clarify that agricultural fairs qualified to receive state aid are recognized under these new acts.