Florida · statute · Fla. Stat. ch. 616 · 42 active provisions
As used in this chapter, the term:(1) “Annual public fair” means a fair that is held and conducted by a fair association and permitted by the department pursuant to s. 616.15.(2) “Authority” means the Florida State Fair Authority.(3) “Concession” means use by a fair association, or a grant, lease, or license to a third…
Residents and qualified electors of the county in which the annual public fair is to be located, who wish to form an association not for profit for the purpose of conducting and operating public fairs or expositions, may become incorporated in the following manner. The applicant must submit the proposed charter to the…
(1) Beginning July 1, 2026, there may be only one incorporated fair association per county in this state, excluding the state fair, which may be incorporated and conducted in any county. The department may not approve a proposed charter incorporating a fair association within the same county in which a fair association…
Upon approval by the department, the proposed charter must be submitted to and approved by the board of county commissioners of the county in which the principal office of the association will be located. After approval by the board of county commissioners, the proposed charter and proof of approval must be submitted t…
A certified copy of the charter and decree of incorporation of a fair association shall be evidence of the contents of the charter in all actions and proceedings, and shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of the incorporated association in all actions and proceedings where the question of its existence is only…
A fair association may propose an amendment to its charter by resolution as provided in its charter or bylaws.(1) The proposed amendment shall be submitted to the department for approval.(2) After the department approves the proposed amendment, it will be incorporated into the original charter upon:(a) Filing the order…
(1) A fair association may dissolve its charter by resolution as provided in its charter or bylaws. The proposal for dissolving the charter shall be submitted to the department for approval.(2) Upon approval by the department and upon presentation of sufficient evidence demonstrating that all indebtedness has been paid…
Any fair association may subject itself to indebtedness or liability in an aggregate sum not greater than the limit stated in its charter or any amendment thereto, without regard to the value of its property. Any fair association may also subject itself to specific bonded or mortgage indebtedness, in addition to and wi…
(1) A member, officer, director, or trustee of a fair association is not personally liable for any of the debts of the association, and money or property of a fair association may not be distributed as profits or dividends among its members, officers, directors, or trustees.(2) All money and property of the association…
Each fair association shall hold, conduct, and operate public fairs and expositions, including an annual public fair. For that purpose, a fair association may buy, lease, acquire, and occupy lands and erect buildings and improvements of any kind on those lands; sell, mortgage, lease, license, or convey any such propert…
Nothing in this chapter shall be held or construed to authorize or permit any fair association to carry on, conduct, supervise, permit, or suffer any gambling or game of chance, lottery, betting, or other act in violation of the criminal laws of the state; and nothing in this chapter shall permit horseracing or dograci…
(1) The accounts and records of a fair association whose annual public fair has an annual attendance of more than 25,000, based upon recorded attendance from the previous year, must be reviewed annually by a qualified accountant licensed by the state. A fair association whose annual public fair has an annual attendance…
Any fair association may enter into any contract, lease, or agreement with any municipality or county in the state or with the state or agency or subdivision of the state for the donation to or the use and occupation by the association of any land owned, leased, or held by the county or municipality or the state or age…
(1) Each person who operates any traveling show, exhibition, amusement enterprise, carnival, vaudeville, exhibit, rodeo, theatrical, game or test of skill, riding device, dramatic repertoire, other show or amusement, or concession, including a concession operating in a tent, enclosure, or other temporary structure, wit…
Any person who, with fraudulent intent, makes or causes to be made any false statement in an application for a permit to hold an annual public fair or in an application for distribution of the amount paid for license taxes under the provisions of this chapter, and by that false statement obtains that permit or distribu…
A person may not engage in the business of providing temporary amusement rides, as defined in s. 616.242, within a 5-mile radius of and within 30 days before or during any public fair or exposition being operated by a fair association, when not operating in connection with that fair or exposition, except with the writt…
(1) A fair association may not conduct more than one annual public fair each calendar year. Any fair association that conducts more than one public fair during any one calendar year is subject to revocation of its charter by the court granting the charter.(2) Any fair association that does not conduct an annual public…
(1) An annual public fair may not be conducted by a fair association without a permit issued by the department. The association shall present to the department an application for a permit, signed by an officer of the association, at least 90 calendar days before holding the annual public fair. The application must be a…
The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this chapter.
(1) An annual public fair conducted by a fair association may not be approved by the department for a tax exemption certificate unless the fair association displays at least the following exhibits:(a) Three exhibits from 4-H Clubs or Future Farmers of America chapters which are officially approved by those clubs or cha…
(1) For the purposes of this chapter, trespass upon the grounds of the Florida State Fair Authority or any other fair association permitted under s. 616.15 means:(a) Entering and remaining upon any grounds or facilities owned, operated, or controlled by the Florida State Fair Authority or any other association permitte…
Any fair association created pursuant to this chapter shall be designated by the name stated in the permit required or stated by its fair association and is recognized by the state as equal in dignity to the Florida State Fair and as fully recognized as the Florida State Fair.
Appropriated funds may not be expended except upon approval and with the recommendation of the department. Further, the appropriation may not be expended for the construction of a building unless fee simple title to the land on which the building is to be constructed is vested in the county, municipality, or fair assoc…
In the construction or repair of buildings as authorized by any annual appropriation, the money to be expended therefor from the appropriation shall be matched in an equal amount by the county, municipality, or fair association for which the buildings are to be constructed or repaired. The amount to be paid by the coun…
The buildings authorized by ss. 616.21-616.23 may be used by the county, municipality, or fair association for public fair or exposition purposes. These buildings may be used as office space for agricultural agents; however, no more than 20 percent of the buildings may be so used.