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TennesseeSB 1860114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

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: Jack Johnson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Fairs

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

State aid for fairs and shows

The law creates a program that helps not‑for‑profit agricultural fairs and livestock shows pay exhibitor premiums. The Department of Agriculture must pay out each year the money the legislature appropriates. Aid can cover premiums only in farm and youth classes like livestock, poultry, dairy, honey, crops, family and consumer sciences, junior FFA/4‑H, and agriculture education. State aid cannot cover more than 50% of a fair’s or show’s premiums in a year, unless the fair later earns a Merit Award. Operators must keep detailed records of each premium winner, and ineligible or noncompliant recipients must repay all aid; existing rules stay in place until changed. The Commissioner can sign agreements, use some funds to run the program, and give grants to other groups that advance agriculture.

New rules for the Tennessee State Fair

The law sets a permanent framework for the Tennessee State Fair. The Agriculture Commissioner picks an operator, signs contracts and leases, accepts gifts, and can require reports and audits. The law defines what counts as a state fair and who can operate it. You cannot use the name “Tennessee State Fair” without the department’s permission. The State Fair promotes agriculture and forestry and provides education and entertainment each year.

Merit awards and bigger fair grants

The department runs a Merit Awards program for agricultural fairs only. Fairs compete within groups by area and population; judges look at exhibit quality, cleanliness, community support, and programs. A champion fair gets an extra award equal to 100% of the state‑aid amount it received under the premiums program that year. Runners‑up get smaller awards. To qualify, a fair must have paid at least $1,000 in premiums during the cycle; livestock shows cannot receive these awards.

Old fair law repealed, new framework live

The law repeals the old fair statute in Title 4, Chapter 57. It also updates another statute to recognize agricultural fairs that the Commissioner qualifies for state aid. The act takes effect as soon as it becomes law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jack Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mark Pody

    Republican • Senate

  • Shane Reeves

    Republican • Senate

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. Signed by Governor.

    4/7/2026Senate

  2. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    3/27/2026Senate

  3. Signed by H. Speaker

    3/26/2026House

  4. Signed by Senate Speaker

    3/25/2026Senate

  5. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    3/24/2026Senate

  6. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/23/2026House

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

    3/23/2026House

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

    3/2/2026House

  9. Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    2/26/2026Senate

  10. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/26/2026Senate

  11. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    2/26/2026Senate

  12. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    2/24/2026Senate

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

    2/24/2026Senate

  14. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/18/2026Senate

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

    2/17/2026Senate

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

    2/2/2026Senate

  17. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    1/22/2026Senate

  18. Filed for introduction

    1/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

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