1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to county agricultural societies; appropriating money from the arts and 
1.3 	cultural heritage fund for grants to county agricultural societies.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 
1.6 	GRANTS.
 1.7 	(a) $3,785,000 in fiscal year 2012 and $3,785,000 in fiscal year 2013 are appropriated 
1.8 	from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to 
1.9 	county agricultural societies to enhance arts access and education, and to preserve and 
1.10 	promote Minnesota's history and cultural heritage as embodied in its county fairs. The 
1.11 	grants shall be in addition to the aid distribution to county agricultural societies under 
1.12 	Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02. The commissioner shall award grants for the following 
1.13 	purposes:
1.14 	(1) $950,000 in each year, distributed in equal amounts to each of the 95 county 
1.15 	fairs, to enhance arts access and education, and to preserve and promote Minnesota's 
1.16 	history and cultural heritage;
1.17 	(2) $1,875,000 in each year, distributed as competitive grants for the development or 
1.18 	enhancement of facilities that provide access to the arts; arts education; and agricultural, 
1.19 	historical, and cultural heritage programs, including, but not limited to, agricultural 
1.20 	education centers, arts buildings, and performance stages;
1.21 	(3) $480,000 in each year, distributed as competitive grants for specific projects and 
1.22 	events that provide access to the arts or the state's agricultural, historical, and cultural 
1.23 	heritage; and
2.1 	(4) $480,000 in each year, distributed as competitive grants for specific arts, 
2.2 	historical, or cultural programs.
2.3 	(b) The commissioner of agriculture shall develop grantmaking criteria and guidance 
2.4 	on the expenditure of funds under this section. The commissioner shall seek input from 
2.5 	all interested parties.