Last Saturday, Governor Brown signed RCRC-supported Assembly Bill 1499 (Gray) into law.  AB 1499 dedicates the State portion of the Sales and Use Tax collected from transactions at fairgrounds to support the operations and maintenance of fairs.  AB 1499 is expected to generate approximately $15 million annually, and makes a significant step in assuring the long-term viability of the networks of fairs and the fairgrounds. 

Local fairs and fairgrounds are utilized throughout the year for community events and livestock activities.  These fairgrounds are also utilized by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and others as an evacuation center and public safety command center during catastrophic emergencies.  RCRC has long advocated that additional financial resources are needed to preserve the many benefits of having these community assets.

RCRC’s letter urging the Governor’s signature of AB 1499 can be accessed here.