House Bill NO. 1147

By Senator(s) Committee

SECTION 1. Section 69-5-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

69-5-3. (1) The Mississippi Fair Commission shall set up rules and regulations consistent with the law governing the distribution of state monies for premiums or awards. It will be the duty of the commission to meet at the call of the chairman, at least twice each year, to approve premium lists or awards, and give out rules governing participants in state premium money in Mississippi. The commission may invite the presidents of the various district livestock shows before the commission when determining policies affecting district livestock shows.

(2) The Mississippi Fair Commission is hereby authorized to accept money or funds donated to or to be awarded as prizes under regulations promulgated by the commission.

(3) The Mississippi Fair Commission shall have charge of designated state lands and buildings, and have full power and authority in perfecting plans and causing to be held an agricultural and industrial exposition annually, and other events from time to time on those lands and located for the promotion of Mississippi agriculture and industry.

(4) The Mississippi Fair Commission is hereby authorized to employ an attorney as prescribed in Section 69-1-14.

(5) The Mississippi Fair Commission may take any action authorized in Section 1 of Laws 2000, Chapter 306.

(6) The Mississippi Fair Commission may allow a commercial, charitable or governmental entity to use, publish and advertise such entity's name in connection with the Mississippi Coliseum, the State Fair or the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo in return for a monetary consideration paid to the commission. Those funds shall be retained by the commission for capital improvements to the fairgrounds, except that not less than ten percent (10%) of such consideration shall be distributed annually to the Livestock Shows Fund that, by this subsection, is created in the State Treasury for premiums or awards in county, district and state livestock shows. The Mississippi Fair Commission may spend up to fifteen percent (15%) of the Livestock Shows Fund for advertising and promotion for county, district and state livestock shows. The commission shall not enter into any such agreement with any vendor whose products are illegal for participation in or use by persons eighteen (18) years of age and under.

(7) The Mississippi Fair Commission is authorized to organize, promote and coordinate county and district livestock shows, exhibitions and fairs held in the county and district multipurpose facilities and may utilize appropriated funds or funds otherwise available to the commission for such purposes.

(8) The Mississippi Fair Commission shall not charge for parking at the Coliseum during the state championship high school basketball tournament.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 69-5-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI FAIR COMMISSION TO ALLOW CERTAIN ENTITIES TO USE, PUBLISH AND ADVERTISE IN CONNECTION WITH ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED ON THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS FOR A MONETARY CONSIDERATION; TO PROVIDE THAT A PORTION OF THE MONETARY CONSIDERATION SHALL BE USED FOR AWARDS IN LIVESTOCK SHOWS; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI FAIR COMMISSION TO COORDINATE COUNTY AND DISTRICT LIVESTOCK SHOWS; TO PROHIBIT THE MISSISSIPPI FAIR COMMISSION FROM CHARGING FOR PARKING DURING THE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.