616.001 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term: (1) “Annual public fair” means a community, county, district, regional, or state 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) “Community fair” means an annual public fair that serves an area […]
616.01 Number of persons required; requisites of proposed charter.—Twenty-five or more persons who are 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 […]
616.02 Acknowledgment of charter.—The proposed charter of a fair association shall be acknowledged by at least three of its subscribers before an officer authorized to make acknowledgment of deeds. Subscribers shall also make and take an oath, which must be attached to the proposed charter, stating that the primary objective of the association is public service […]
616.03 Notice of application; approval and record of charter.—A notice of intention to apply to the circuit court for the charter of a fair association must specify the date that application will be made, shall be sent to the department for approval, and shall be published in a newspaper in the county where the principal office […]
616.04 Evidence of existence and contents of charter.—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 […]
616.05 Amendment of charter.—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) Publication of notice in the same manner […]
616.051 Dissolving a charter.—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. Upon approval and publication of notice and proof that all indebtedness has been paid and no claims are outstanding against the association, the […]
616.06 Amount of indebtedness authorized.—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 […]
616.07 Members not personally liable; property of association held in trust; exempt from taxation.— (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, […]
616.08 Additional powers of 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 property or any […]
616.09 Not authorized to carry on gambling, etc.; forfeiture of charter for violations; annulment proceedings.—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 […]
616.101 Annual review of accounts and records.—The accounts and records of every fair association whose annual public fair has an annual attendance of more than 25,000 shall be reviewed annually by a qualified accountant licensed by the state. A fair association whose annual public fair has an annual attendance of 25,000 or fewer must submit an […]
616.11 Association authorized to contract with municipality, county, or state for use of land; admission fees; state, counties, and municipalities authorized to make contributions.—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 […]
616.12 Licenses upon certain shows; distribution of fees; exemptions.— (1) Each person who operates any traveling show, exhibition, amusement enterprise, carnival, vaudeville, exhibit, minstrel, 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, within the grounds of, […]
616.121 Making false application.—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 […]
616.13 Restrictions on other amusement rides.—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, […]
616.14 Number of fairs; penalty.— (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 […]
616.15 Permit from Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services required.— (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 3 months before holding the annual […]
616.165 Rules.—The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this chapter. History.—ss. 3, 26, ch. 83-239; ss. 41, 44, ch. 93-168; s. 196, ch. 98-200. Note.—Former s. 616.27.
616.17 Minimum exhibits.— (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 chapters. (b) Three exhibits […]
