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TennesseeSB 1860114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 57; Title 43, Chapter 21 and Section 48-101-502, relative to exhibitions.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Fairs

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Tennessee establishes a separate annual state fair

The law replaced Tennessee's prior fair framework with separate agricultural-aid and state-fair programs when it became law. The Agriculture Department administers an annual state fair promoting agriculture and forestry through education and entertainment. The commissioner can choose an operator, sign contracts, and require operator reports, financial statements, and audits. The commissioner can also accept unrestricted gifts and bequests, lease department property for the fair, and form advisory panels. The law gives no operating budget or direct household payment.

State fair names need department approval

People and organizations need Agriculture Department permission to use the name “Tennessee State Fair.” Permission is also required for any title suggesting an official Tennessee state fair. The department has sole discretion to grant permission.

Fairs must repay improperly received aid

At the Agriculture Department's request, fairs and livestock shows must return all aid received while ineligible or out of compliance. The commissioner can sue to collect repayment. Department rules cover applications, reports, prize-winner records, payment records, fair classifications, and maximum aid calculations. Appropriated aid is distributed annually; the commissioner can contract with others and use aid for staff costs and organizer training. Rules in effect before July 1, 2026, remain in place until changed or repealed.

Fair merit awards require minimum payouts

Agricultural fairs must pay at least $1,000 in cash prizes during the program cycle to enter the merit award competition. Livestock shows and other entities cannot enter. The Agriculture Department groups fairs by area and population served, naming champions and two runners-up where participation allows. A champion's award equals 100% of the state aid paid to that fair for prizes that year. Runners-up and other participating fairs receive smaller awards, with amounts set by rules.

State help for fairs, with limits

Tennessee provides state aid to eligible nonprofit agricultural fairs and stand-alone livestock shows held at least annually. The money helps pay cash prizes for approved livestock, farm products, home skills, forestry, and youth projects, including FFA and 4-H. Annual aid cannot exceed 50% of prizes paid, except for agricultural fairs receiving merit awards. The Agriculture Commissioner sets eligibility rules and can approve additional prize categories or aid other groups that advance Tennessee agriculture. The law sets no total funding amount and updates nonprofit-law references to recognize qualified agricultural fairs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Mark Pody

    Republican • Senate

  • Reeves

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 2/26/2026

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 04/07/2026

    4/28/2026

  2. Pub. Ch. 670

    4/28/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/7/2026Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    3/27/2026Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    3/26/2026House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    3/25/2026Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    3/24/2026Senate

  8. Passed H., Ayes 82, Nays 0, PNV 2

    3/23/2026House

  9. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/23/2026House

  10. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    3/2/2026House

  11. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    2/26/2026Senate

  12. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/26/2026Senate

  13. Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    2/26/2026Senate

  14. Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 2/26/2026

    2/24/2026Senate

  15. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    2/24/2026Senate

  16. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/18/2026Senate

  17. Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 2/24/2026

    2/17/2026Senate

  18. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee

    2/2/2026Senate

  19. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    1/22/2026Senate

  20. Filed for introduction

    1/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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