1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act”.
Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a grant program to address the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on State and local fairs, and for other purposes.
2. State and local fair grant program
Establishment— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a program (in this section referred to as the “Program”) to address the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on State and local fairs.
Grant authority and eligible entities— In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may make, on a competitive basis, grants to States in accordance with this section.
Applications— To be eligible for a grant under the Program, a State shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
Grant uses— A State may only use grant funds provided under the Program to assist a covered entity to address cost coverage issues related to the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on State and local fairs, including by identifying opportunities to provide virtual education and entertainment related to agriculture.
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to carry out the Program.
Definitions— In this section:
Covered entity— The term “covered entity” means a State agricultural agency with responsibility for operating a State or local fair.
State— The term “State” means each of the following:
The 50 States.
The District of Columbia.
The territories of the United States.