2472

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 903

Article - Agriculture
10-303.

(a)    The Board shall encourage and foster
agriculture in the State through promotion and assistance
of agricultural fairs, exhibits, or other activities.
For this purpose, the Board, subject to approval of the
Secretary, has exclusive, complete control of the
distribution and expenditure of all funds allocated to it
pursuant to the provisions of Article 78B of this Code
for the payment of premium awards; promotional,
educational activities, or other activities, either in
connection with a bona fide agricultural fair, exhibit,
or activity, as the Board determines, and for one State
fair each year, as designated by the Board; AND THE BOARD
SHALL ADMINISTER THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE GRANT PROVIDED
IN SECTION 19(A) OF ARTICLE 78B TO THE MARYLAND STATE
FAIR AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, INC.

(b)    The Board, subject to approval of the
Secretary shall adopt rules and regulations to govern the
conduct, qualifications, and requirements of agricultural
fairs, exhibits, or activities to which allocations or
distributions are made.

(c)    No agricultural fair, exhibit, or activity may
receive any financial assistance from the Board, unless
it has met all qualifications and requirements as set
forth in the rales and regulations. The decision of the
Board, after approval of the Secretary, shall be final
with respect to every question relating to whether any
agricultural fair, exhibit, or activity shall be entitled
to financial assistance under the provisions of this
section.

(D) BEFORE JANUARY 1 OF THE YEAR PRECEDING THE
FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH A STATE GRANT IS AUTHORIZED TO BE
PAID TO THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,
INC., THE SOCIETY SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE BOARD OF
PUBLIC DORKS AND TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OUTLINING THE
CURRENT PROGRESS AND PLANS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION, EXPANSION, RELOCATION, REPLACEMENT, AND
MODERNIZATION OF THE SOCIETY'S FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
USED IN CONDUCTING THE STATE FAIR. COPIES OF THE REPORT
SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, THE
STATE FAIR BOARD AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FISCAL SERVICES.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1976.

Approved May 17, 1976.