H08232026 Regular Session

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding county fair boards.

COUNTY FAIR BOARDS -- Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding county fair boards.

IntroducedIn CommitteeFloor VoteEnacted

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

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This legislation amends Section 22-202A, Idaho Code, which allows county commissioners in counties over a specified population threshold to designate a county fair board as an advisory body rather than as a governing board. This legislation does not impact counties that already relied upon this section. This statutory provision was adopted decades ago to address a specific circumstance at that time. Today, the population-based trigger is arbitrary and no longer reflects sound governance principles. Good governance should not hinge on an outdated population threshold or mechanism that creates structural instability for county fair operations. County fairs remain foundational to Idaho's agricultural heritage, rural communities, and local economies. Repealing this antiquated statute removes an unnecessary and destabilizing tool from code, restores clarity to county fair governance, and ensures fair boards operate under consistent statutory authority across the state. This legislation modernizes Idaho Code by protecting counties that have relied on the state while eliminating an outdated provision that is no longer needed and does not represent best practices in local governance.

FISCAL NOTE

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This legislation has no fiscal impact on state or local government budgets. The bill simply repeals an outdated statutory provision relating to the designation of county fair boards and does not appropriate funds, create new programs, or alter revenue streams. County fair operations will continue under existing statutory authority without financial effect.

BILL TEXT

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LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE BILL NO. 823 BY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO COUNTY FAIR BOARDS; AMENDING SECTION 22-202A, IDAHO CODE, TO RE-2 VISE PROVISIONS REGARDING THE DESIGNATION OF A COUNTY FAIR BOARD AS AN3 ADVISORY BOARD TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS; AND DECLARING AN4 EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.5

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:6

SECTION 1. That Section 22-202A, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby7 amended to read as follows:8 22-202A. DESIGNATION OF COUNTY FAIR BOARD AS ADVISORY BODY. (1) In9 counties with a population of two hundred thousand (200,000) persons or10 more, on or before January 1, 2024, the board of county commissioners may11 provide by ordinance that the county fair board shall function as an advisory12 board to the board of county commissioners. If such an ordinance is adopted,13 the board of county commissioners shall retain and may exercise the powers,14 duties, and responsibilities otherwise charged to the county fair board15 by the provisions of this chapter. Any such ordinance shall set forth the16 powers, duties, responsibilities, compensation, and terms of office of the17 county fair board and may provide for any such other rules and regulations18 under which the county fair board shall advise the board of county commis-19 sioners and conduct its operations. Any such ordinance may be repealed at20 any time, and if repealed, the provisions of this chapter shall apply as if no21 such ordinance had been adopted.22 (2) The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to:23 (a) fair Fair districts in two (2) or more counties organized pursuant24 to chapter 3, title 22, Idaho Code.; or25 (b) Counties in which the population reached two hundred thousand26 (200,000) persons or more after January 1, 2024.27

SECTION 2. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby28 declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after29 July 1, 2026.30