MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Agriculture

By: Senator(s) Hudson

Senate Bill 2284

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 69-5-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE AND CLARIFY THE DUTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI FAIR COMMISSION RELATED TO THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI FAIR COMMISSION TO ENTER INTO LEASES OR RIGHT-OF-WAYS; TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT CERTAIN FUNDS BE USED FOR PREMIUMS OR AWARDS IN LIVESTOCK SHOWS; TO AUTHORIZE THE CREATION OF A NONPROFIT FOUNDATION AND A SPECIAL FUND FOR THE USE OF FUNDS RECEIVED FROM ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS; TO PROVIDE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE FUNDS MAY BE USED; 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 the Commission including funds to be awarded as prizes * * *under regulations promulgated by the commission in livestock competition.

     (3)  The Mississippi Fair Commission shall have charge of * * *designated state lands and buildings, the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Mississippi, including all buildings and improvements, and shall and have full power and authority in perfecting plans and causing to be held * * *an agricultural and industrial exposition annually, thereon the Mississippi State Fair and other events * * *from time to time on those lands and located for the promotion of Mississippi agriculture and industry that may be authorized by the Commission.

     (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 any of the buildings, improvements or objects located on the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, except for the Kirk Fordice Equine Center or any of the events conducted on the State Fairgrounds 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 buildings, improvements, objects or events shall be retained by the commission to be used 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.  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 or in its annual operating budget.  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 chairman of the commission is authorized to form and establish a private foundation or nonprofit corporation to receive and disburse the funds generated by the sale of naming rights described in this section and for any other donations made to the commission.  The funds shall be disbursed in accordance with guidelines described in this section, and the foundation or nonprofit corporation shall be subject to the reporting requirements described in this section.  All funds shall remain and shall not be transferred to the State General Fund.

(8)  The commission shall have the authority to enter into a lease or right-of-way with a third party covering any land or building on the State Fairgrounds and any funds generated from a lease or right-of-way shall remain in a special fund managed by the commission.  All monies in the special fund may be used for capital improvements to the State Fairgrounds or in the commission's annual operating budget.  Any unexpended funds remaining in the special fund shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited in the fund.

(9)  The Fair Commission may adopt any rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable to carry out, execute or implement this article.

     ( * * *710)  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 its passage.

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