House Bill 442

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 69-5-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI FAIR COMMISSION TO SET AND CHARGE THE SAME PRICE TO ANY ENTITY OCCUPYING A BOOTH AT THE STATE FAIR WITH NO EXCEPTIONS FOR POLITICAL, GOVERNMENTAL OR NONPROFIT GROUPS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

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. The Mississippi Fair Commission shall set and charge the same fee to any entity that occupies a booth at the State Fair with no exceptions for political, governmental or nonprofit groups.

(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 received from an entity for allowing its name to be used, published or advertised in connection with the Mississippi Coliseum or the State Fair shall be retained by the commission for capital improvements to the fairgrounds, except that not less than fifteen percent (15%) 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 and the State High School Rodeo Finals. The Mississippi Fair Commission may spend up to ten percent (10%) of the total consideration received from an entity that uses, publishes and advertises such entity's name in connection with the Mississippi Coliseum or the State Fair for advertising, promoting and entertainment acts. Those funds received from an entity for allowing its name to be used, published or advertised in connection with the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo shall be retained by the Fair Commission for capital improvements except One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) may be used annually for advertising, promoting, premiums, awards and entertainment acts for the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo. 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 shall report by January 1 of each year a detailed financial statement of all monies received and expended under subsection (6) of this section to the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.