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SB 3407

Jackson County; revise powers and duties of county fair board.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brice Wiggins

Creates a five-member Jackson County Fair Board with control over finances, staffing, contracts, and facilities, under Board of Supervisors oversight and annual funding.

Approved by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 3407

Summary of Bill SB 3407 (2026) – Mississippi

Title and Purpose

  • Title: Jackson County; revise powers and duties of county fair board.
  • Purpose: Amend Chapter 911, Local and Private Laws of 1989 to revise the powers, duties, governance, and financing of the Jackson County County Fair Board and its oversight of county fairgrounds and related activities.

What the Bill Does (Key Provisions)

Establishment and Membership

  • Authorizes the Board of Supervisors of Jackson County to create a county fair board and appoint five members.
  • Each member must be a qualified elector of the county, with one member from each supervisor’s district.
  • Terms are concurrent with the terms of the Board of Supervisors.
  • Members receive per diem travel/meeting compensation as determined by the Board of Supervisors.
  • The fair board elects a chairman and a treasurer among its members; the treasurer must post a bond payable to the county as determined by the Board of Supervisors.
  • The Board of Supervisors may remove any fair board member for inefficiency, incompetency, or other cause.

Funding and Management Authority

  • The Board of Supervisors may annually allocate funds to the county fair board to promote, plan, organize, and implement county fairs and related activities (including competitive events, carnivals, farmers’ market, and related activities).
  • The fair board may promulgate rules and regulations for fairground use. With Supervisors’ approval, it may implement and enforce those rules.
  • The Supervisors may authorize the fair board to manage and maintain county facilities on the fairgrounds.

Authority over Funds and Operations

  • The fair board must use all funds appropriated by the Supervisors, gifts, or revenue from operations for operating expenses, maintenance, equipment, construction/repair, promotion, and related fairground activities (including farming, livestock, crafts, home enrichment, clothing, food preservation, and other traditional fair activities).
  • The fair board has full jurisdiction over funds received by appropriation, gifts, or fairground revenue and may enter into contracts related to the fair and facilities.
  • The board may establish bylaws for its meetings and promulgate rules for safe, economical, and efficient administration of the county fair and related activities.

Staffing and Facilities

  • Subject to Supervisors’ approval, the county fair board may hire advisory/administrative staff, with staff selected equally from each supervisor district; additional staff as needed for fair activities and fairgrounds maintenance.
  • The fair board can fix salaries, direct staff, and discharge staff for inefficiency or good cause.
  • With Supervisors’ approval, the fair board has complete control and management of the county fairgrounds property.
  • The board may operate concessions (soft drinks, confections, popcorn, peanuts, etc.) and lease fairground facilities; can set fees as directed by the Supervisors.

Insurance and Large-Scale Events

  • The fair board may insure fairground property against loss by fire and tornado and may carry other property/casualty/liability insurance, with premiums paid from county funds or fairground revenues.
  • The fair board may serve as an advisory body to the Supervisors on the use of the fairgrounds for large-scale events or promotions.

Governance, Purchases, and Reporting

  • Conduct of business and all purchases/contracts by the fair board are governed by Mississippi law (Chapter 13, Title 19, MCA).
  • The fair board must purchase supplies via the standard county procurement process and issue vouchers for payments.
  • The fair board must report quarterly to the Board of Supervisors on actions, transactions, and financial condition.
  • Annually, the fair board must provide a detailed statement covering the entire management and operation of the Jackson County Fair and related activities, with recommendations for fairgrounds development.

General Policy and Funding

  • The act is to be liberally construed to promote efficient operation of the fair and fairground facilities for all county residents.
  • The Board of Supervisors is authorized to set aside and expend funds from the county general fund specifically for fair and fairground activities, with funds restricted to those purposes.

Who is Affected

  • Jackson County Board of Supervisors (oversight, funding allocations, approval of rules and staffing).
  • Jackson County Fair Board (newly created or reconstituted body with defined powers and duties).
  • County residents and participants in county fairs, farmers’ markets, and related activities (beneficiaries of enhanced management, programming, and facilities).
  • County fairgrounds staff and vendors (facilities management, concessions, staffing, and contracts).

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Effective date: The act takes effect after passage.
  • Administrative timeline involves annual funding determinations by the Board of Supervisors, quarterly reporting by the fair board, and an annual detailed management/operations report.
  • The act contemplates ongoing governance tied to the fiscal year and the term alignment between the fair board and the Board of Supervisors.

Status and Sponsorship

  • Status: Approved by Governor (Action History shows governor-approved on 2026-04-08; enrolled/signature completed in early April 2026).
  • Primary sponsor: Senator Brice Wiggins (Co-sponsor).

Bottom Line

SB 3407 modernizes and consolidates the governance, funding, and operations of Jackson County’s fairgrounds and county fair activities by creating a five-member county fair board with explicit powers over finances, staffing, contracts, and facilities, subject to Board of Supervisors oversight and annual funding. The bill emphasizes improved administration, accountability (quarterly and annual reporting), and greater capacity to host fairs, markets, and large-scale events for county residents.

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

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