Section 43-21-111 - Appropriation for state aid - Special awards for merit(a) There is appropriated from the general funds of the state the sum of one hundred sixty thousand dollars ($160,000) annually to be disbursed for state aid to agricultural fairs in accordance with this chapter.(b) The commissioner is authorized to expend a maximum of ten percent (10%) of this annual appropriation for administration of the laws contained in this chapter, including, but not limited to, education of persons conducting fairs in the state in agricultural fair administration and the salary of a full-time employee, whose duty shall be to promote and improve the operation of fairs in this state as directed by the commissioner. The employment of such person is authorized by this subsection (b).(c) In addition, the commissioner is authorized, in the commissioner's discretion, to grant state aid to fairs that are not under this chapter entitled to state aid and to beginning fairs needing financial assistance, but these discretionary grants shall not exceed an aggregate sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) annually.(d) The annual appropriation after the deduction of sums used as authorized in subsections (b) and (c) for administration hereof and for discretionary aid to fairs not otherwise entitled to aid shall be divided into two (2) funds, one (1) of which shall be two thirds (2/3) of the remaining total, all of which shall be used for the award of state aid to fairs provided for in § 43-21-103 et seq., and a second fund consisting of one third (1/3) of the remaining total, which shall be disbursed as provided in subsection (e) to those fairs that attain special excellence in operations.(e) For the purpose of determining state champion county fairs, the total sum of eligible county fairs shall be divided into three (3) classifications based upon the population of the county served by a fair as reported in the most current available census. In descending order of population, the top one third (1/3) shall be classified as triple "A" (AAA) fairs, the middle one third (1/3) as double "A" (AA) fairs, and the bottom one third (1/3) as single "A" (A) fairs. There shall be a state championship award to the champion county fair each year in each of the three (3) classifications; and there shall also be designated a first runner-up and a second runner-up each year in each classification. There shall be awarded to each fair determined worthy thereof an award to be known as the special award of merit. No fair shall be eligible for more than one (1) of the four (4) designations in each classification. The commissioner is authorized to designate as deputies or agents for the purpose of determining those fairs that are entitled to the special awards such citizens of the state as the commissioner may deem capable of this determination, including, but not limited to, the persons who shall constitute the officers and directors of any state association of fairs that may be in existence; and is authorized to adopt reasonable rules, regulations and standards to be followed in the selection of those fairs worthy of the awards. (1) The best county fair in each classification shall be entitled to receive out of the special awards fund a special merit award equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the state aid paid to it under § 43-21-103.(2) Each of the remaining eligible fairs shall share in the balance of the special awards fund in an amount equally proportionate to the state aid paid to each individual fair under § 43-21-103.(f) Community fairs shall not participate in the fund provided for in this section for disbursement to fairs that attain special excellence.(g) If any sum remains unused out of the fund provided for distribution under § 43-21-103, that sum shall be added to the special merit award fund and distributed to the fairs entitled to special merit awards.(h) The commissioner is empowered to reduce merit awards not to exceed twenty percent (20%) in case proper records and reports are not filed as required under the merit awards program.Acts 1957, ch. 261, § 4; 1963, ch. 135, § 2; T.C.A., § 43-2411; Acts 1980, ch. 670, § 5; 1991, ch. 150, §§ 1-3.