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AB 1711

Fairs: funding.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and 5 co-sponsors

AB 1711 broadens fair funding to cover capital, safety, maintenance, and regulatory projects, sets annual allocation plans, a 5% cap for DFA admin costs, and a prudent reserve.

In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
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Bill Summary · AB 1711

AB 1711 (2025-2026) – Fairs: Funding

Overview

AB 1711, introduced by Assembly Member Connolly and co-sponsored by Damon Connolly, would reform how funding from the California Fair and Exposition Fund (F&EF) is allocated to California fairs. The bill amends Section 3204 of the Food and Agricultural Code to broaden eligible uses of unallocated and designated funds and to set annual allocation rules and a prudent reserve. It also imposes a cap on using the fund to support the Department of Food and Agriculture’s (DFA) operational framework and requires a yearly expenditure plan.

Purpose and Intent

  • Increase the scope of capital and maintenance projects that can be funded at California fairs.
  • Direct funding toward public health, fire and life safety, emergency services improvements at fairs, regulatory compliance, and maintenance of fairgrounds.
  • Create a defined annual allocation process and prudent reserve to ensure stable funding for the fair network.
  • Limit the use of funds for administrative framework development to not more than 5% per fiscal year.

Key Provisions

  • Section 3204(a) – Expanded eligible expenditures:

    • Use unallocated balance and other designated funds for capital outlay to California fairs.
    • Fund fair projects including:
    • Public health and safety improvements
    • Fire and life safety upgrades
    • Emergency services improvements at fairs
    • California Code of Regulations compliance projects
    • Maintenance projects at fairgrounds
    • Projects required by physical changes to fair sites
    • Protection of fair property installations (e.g., fencing, flood protection)
    • Acquisition or improvement of property/facilities to enhance fair operations

  • Section 3204(b) – Operational support:

    • A portion of funds may be allocated to provide general operational support for California fairs.
    • Intended primarily for fairs with limited revenue sources.

  • Section 3204(c) – Operational framework cap:

    • Not more than 5% of the moneys in the Fair and Exposition Fund may be used in any fiscal year to augment DFA’s budget for developing and administering an operational and policy framework for the California fairs network.
    • Any amounts not used stay in the fund as a prudent reserve.

  • Section 3204(d) – Annual expenditure plan:

    • All available funds must be allocated to the California fairs network pursuant to an approved expenditure plan no later than December 31 of each calendar year.

Affected Entities

  • The Fair and Exposition Fund (F&EF) and its unallocated balance and designated revenues.
  • The California fairs network, including fairgrounds and related facilities.
  • The California Department of Food and Agriculture (DFA), to the extent of administrative framework funding (capped at 5% per year).

Timeline and Process

  • Annual allocation: All available funds must be allocated by December 31 each year following an approved expenditure plan.
  • Implementation timeline depends on passage and subsequent regulatory and administrative actions to revise allocation practices.

Fiscal Impact

  • Creates an appropriation mechanism by broadening eligible uses, which could increase capital, safety, and maintenance funding for fairs.
  • Places a cap on DFA-related administrative funding (5% max per year) and maintains a prudent reserve for contingencies.

Notes

  • The bill was amended and re-referred to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture (AGRI) in April 2026.
  • It retains the fund’s status as a continuously appropriated source for fair-related projects while introducing new expenditure categories and planning requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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