AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, the Legislature gave final approval to a measure sponsored by Rep. Christina Mitchell, D-Cumberland, that would help prevent conflicts between competing agricultural fairs like the one last fall, when the Fryeburg Fair opened a day early and overlapped with the final day of the Cumberland Fair.
As amended, LD 2096 provides the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry with tools to address situations where an agricultural fair attempts to operate outside of its approved, state-licensed fair dates.
“I am grateful to my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, for supporting this bill,” said Mitchell. “This is about ensuring that all agricultural fairs, big and small, are able to meet their bottom line and operate smoothly. I am thankful to the fair officials, both with the Cumberland Fair and beyond, that helped craft this bill and see it through.”
Ted Googins, President of the Cumberland Farmer’s Club and Cumberland Fair, testified in support of the bill. “I believe that this bill will create a fair process for overseeing any fair date changes for all fairs large and small,” he said.
The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
Mitchell is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents the communities of Chebeague Island, Cumberland and Long Island. She is a member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Mitchell) | 305-965-2744