1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to arts and cultural heritage; appropriating money for county fairs.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; COUNTY FAIR GRANTS.
 1.5 	(a) $500,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from 
1.6 	the arts and cultural heritage fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to county 
1.7 	agricultural societies to enhance arts access and education and to preserve and promote 
1.8 	Minnesota's history and cultural heritage as embodied in its county fairs. The grants are in 
1.9 	addition to the aid distribution to county agricultural societies under Minnesota Statutes, 
1.10 	section 38.02. The commissioner shall award grants for the following purposes:
1.11 	(1) $200,000 each year distributed in equal amounts to each of the 95 county fairs to 
1.12 	enhance arts access and education and to preserve and promote Minnesota's history and 
1.13 	cultural heritage;
1.14 	(2) $200,000 each year distributed as competitive grants for developing or enhancing 
1.15 	facilities that provide access to arts, arts education, and agriculture or historical and cultural 
1.16 	heritage programs; and
1.17 	(3) $100,000 each year distributed as competitive grants for specific projects and events 
1.18 	that provide access to the arts or the state's agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage.
1.19 	(b) The commissioner of agriculture shall develop grantmaking criteria and guidance 
1.20 	for expending funds under this section. The commissioner shall seek input from all interested 
1.21 	parties.