Plain English Breakdown
The official source does not specify how much money can be kept as a reserve, only that some may be retained.
AB-1711: Changes to Fair Funding Rules
This law updates the list of allowed projects for money in the Fair and Exposition Fund, allows a small portion for department operations, sets an annual deadline for spending plans, and permits keeping some funds as a reserve.
What This Bill Does
- Updates the list of allowed uses for fund money to include public health, fire safety, life safety, emergency services improvements, California Code of Regulations compliance projects, and maintenance at fairgrounds.
- Allows up to 5% of the fund's money each fiscal year to help the Department of Food and Agriculture develop and manage policies and operations for California fairs.
- Requires that all available money in the fund be assigned to California fairs through an approved spending plan by December 31 of every calendar year.
- Permits keeping some money in the fund as a reserve for unexpected needs from one year to the next.
Who It Names or Affects
- California fairgrounds and their operators
- The Secretary of Food and Agriculture
- The Department of Food and Agriculture
Terms To Know
- Fair and Exposition Fund
- A special account that holds money set aside for spending on California fairs.
- Capital outlay
- Money spent to build, fix, or improve physical structures like buildings or roads at a fairground.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not state the exact dollar amount of money currently in the fund.
- It is unclear how much total funding will be available for fairs until an expenditure plan is approved by December 31.
- The text does not specify which specific fairgrounds receive priority when funds are limited.