Assemblymember Connolly Introduces AB1711

Assemblymember Connolly Introduces Legislation to Sustain California's Fair Network

• Isabella Jimenez
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1711, sponsored by the California Fairs Alliance (CFA) and Western Fairs Association (WFA), which will ensure critical available resources are provided to California fairs by the end of each calendar year.

"Fairs play a pivotal role in the North Bay, by serving as emergency and evacuation sites during wildfires over the past few years. However, fairgrounds experience a significant backlog of deferred maintenance," said Assemblymember Connolly (D-San Rafael). "I am proud to author AB 1711, alongside California Fairs Alliance and Western Fairs Association, which will ensure that the revenue generated by fairs is reinvested in a reasonable time frame, helping preserve these fairgrounds and allowing them to improve services for the future."

California is home to 76 state-designated fairs, operated through District Agricultural Associations (DAAs), county fairs, and citrus fruit fairs. These fairs play an important role in their communities, providing agricultural education, hosting cultural events, supporting local economies and serving as critical sites for emergency response and disaster preparedness. Together, fairgrounds generate millions of dollars in state and local revenues and provide thousands of jobs, all while being primarily self-supported by revenue generated on-site.

"California has the largest and most vibrant fair network in the country," said Laurie Giannini, California Fairs Alliance Board Chair. "Unfortunately, our fairgrounds are facing an unprecedented backlog in deferred maintenance projects. AB 1711 ensures that the money generated by fairs is allocated in a timely manner and will allow our fairgrounds to remain world-class facilities that serve the needs of every community in California."

"California fairs are economic engines, community gathering places, and essential emergency response assets," said Sarah Cummings, President & CEO of the Western Fairs Association. "This legislation builds on important progress already made by ensuring that funds generated by fairs are reinvested in fairs on a predictable timeline. That allows local fair boards and managers to responsibly plan infrastructure repairs, invest in public safety, and continue serving their communities year-round."

In 2025, Assemblymember Connolly authored AB 258, which strengthened long-term funding for fairs by increasing the amount of money generated by fairgrounds during events to be returned to fairs for ongoing support. While AB 258 provided for a more reliable funding stream, it did not set a clear deadline on when the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) would distribute those funds.

AB 1711 builds on the progress made and provides a clear timeline for the distribution of funds. By requiring all funds to be offered annually, the bill gives local fairs the certainty needed to plan projects, repair infrastructure, and keep fairgrounds safe and ready to serve their communities across the State year-round.

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Assemblymember Connolly represents the entirety of Marin County and Southern Sonoma County