2004 Minnesota Statutes

     38.01 County agricultural societies; formation, powers.  

    An agricultural society or association may be incorporated 
 by citizens of any county, or two or more counties jointly, but 
 only one agricultural society shall be organized in any county.  
 An agricultural society may sue and be sued in its corporate 
 name; may adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations, alter and amend 
 the same; may purchase and hold, lease and control any real or 
 personal property deemed to promote the objects of the society, 
 and may rent, lease, sell, and convey the same.  Any income from 
 the rental or lease of such property may be used for any or all 
 of the following purposes:  (1) Acquisition of additional real 
 property; (2) Construction of additional buildings; or (3) 
 Maintenance and care of the society's property.  This section 
 shall not be construed to preclude the continuance of any 
 agricultural society now existing or the granting of aid thereto.

    An agricultural society shall have jurisdiction and control 
 of the grounds upon which its fairs are held and of the streets 
 and grounds adjacent thereto during such fair, so far as may be 
 necessary for such purpose.  At or before the time of holding 
 any fair, the agricultural society may appoint, in writing, as 
 many persons to act as special constables as necessary, for and 
 during the time of holding the same and for a reasonable time 
 prior and subsequent thereto.  These constables, before entering 
 upon their duties, shall take and subscribe the usual oath of 
 office, endorsed upon their appointment, and have and exercise 
 upon the grounds of the society, and within one-half mile 
 thereof, all the power and authority of constables at common law 
 and, in addition thereto, may, within these limits, without 
 warrant, arrest any person found violating any laws of the 
 state, or any rule, regulation, or bylaw of the society, and 
 summarily remove the persons and property of such offenders from 
 the grounds and take them before any court of competent 
 jurisdiction to be dealt with according to law.  Each such peace 
 officer shall wear an appropriate badge of office while acting 
 as such.  

    As an alternative to the appointment of special constables, 
 the society may contract with the sheriff or local municipality 
 to provide the society with the same police service it may 
 secure by appointing special constables.  A person providing 
 police service pursuant to such a contract is not, by reason of 
 the contract, classified as an employee of the agricultural 
 society for any purpose other than the discharge of powers and 
 duties under the contract.  

    Any person who shall willfully violate any rule or 
 regulation made by such societies during the days of a fair 
 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.  

    The provisions of this section supersede all special laws 
 on the same subject.  

    HIST: (7885) RL s 3097; 1909 c 416 s 1; 1911 c 381 s 5; 1921 c 
 464 s 1; 1923 c 146 s 1; 1923 c 232 s 1; 1937 c 352 s 1; 1955 c 
 618 s 1; 1963 c 408 s 1; 1986 c 444