BILL REQ. #:  S-3727.1 

Read first time 01/16/12.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to state capital funding of health and safety improvements at agricultural fairs; and amending RCW 15.76.100, 15.76.110, and 15.76.165.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 15.76.100 and 1961 c 61 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     It is hereby declared that it is in the public interest to hold agricultural fairs, including the exhibition of livestock and agricultural produce of all kinds, as well as related arts and manufactures; including products of the farm home and educational contest, displays, and demonstrations designed to train youth and to promote the welfare of farm people and rural living. Fairs qualifying hereunder shall be eligible for allocations from the state fair fund and for capital funding when appropriated to the department of agriculture, as provided in this chapter.

Sec. 2   RCW 15.76.110 and 1961 c 61 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) "Agricultural fair" means a fair or exhibition which is intended to promote agriculture by including a balanced variety of exhibits of livestock and agricultural products, as well as related arts and manufactures; including products of the farm home, and educational contests, displays, and demonstrations designed to train youth and to promote the welfare of farm people and rural living.
     (2) "Department" means the state department of agriculture.
     (3) "Director" ((shall)) means the director of agriculture.
     (4) "Commission" ((shall)) means the fairs commission created by this chapter.
     (5) "State allocations" ((shall)) means allocations from the state fair fund.

Sec. 3   RCW 15.76.165 and 2005 c 443 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((Any county which owns or leases property from another governmental agency and provides such property for area or county and district agricultural fair purposes may apply to the director for special assistance in carrying out necessary capital improvements to such property and maintenance of the appurtenances thereto.)) (1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department may provide capital funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations, on a competitive basis, to support capital projects that make health or safety improvements to agricultural fair grounds or fair facilities in order to benefit participants and the fair-going public.
     (2) The department shall develop and manage appropriate contracts
with the selected applicants, monitor project expenditures and grantee performance, report project and contract information, and exercise due diligence and other contract management responsibilities.
     (a) The department shall include provisions in the contracts which require that capital improvements be held by the grantee for a specified period of time appropriate to the amount of the grant and that facilities must be used for the express purpose of the grant.
     (b) If the grantee is found to be out of compliance with provisions of the contract, the grantee shall repay to the state general fund the principal amount of the grant plus interest calculated at the rate of interest on state of Washington general obligation bonds issued most closely to the date of authorization of the grant.