County fairs appropriation

SF 861 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to provide equal grants of approximately $5,263 to each of Minnesota's 95 county agricultural societies. The funds must be used for projects enhancing arts access, education, and the preservation of Minnesota's agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage through county fairs. This appropriation is in addition to existing funding under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02, and the commissioner of agriculture must develop grant criteria with input from interested parties. The bill directly affects all 95 county fairs by providing supplemental funding for heritage-related programming.