Current Press Releases of Interest

Assemblywoman Hadwick Advances Bill to Keep Local Fairs Operational

 

Sacramento, CA (March 25, 2026) — Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick (R-Alturas) is advancing Assembly Bill 2588, legislation to ensure California’s local fairs can continue operating even when delays in gubernatorial appointments leave boards without enough members to meet quorum.

 

Fairs across California are governed by district agricultural association boards, whose members are appointed by the Governor. When vacancies go unfilled for extended periods, boards can fall below quorum, preventing them from conducting business, approving contracts, or planning annual events.

 

In some cases, fairs have been unable to operate for years due to these delays.

 

“Fairs are the heart of our rural communities. They support local agriculture, small businesses, and even serve as emergency hubs during disasters,” said Assemblymember Hadwick. “But when boards can’t meet quorum, everything comes to a halt. AB 2588 is a simple fix to keep these community institutions running.”

 

AB 2588 allows fair boards to temporarily appoint a qualified individual to fill a vacancy needed to establish quorum, but only if the Governor has not made an appointment within 90 days. These temporary appointments are limited in scope and duration, and the Governor retains full authority to replace them at any time.

 

By providing this limited flexibility, the bill ensures fairs can continue to operate, host events, and fulfill their important public safety and economic roles.

 

“Fairs are more than events, they are critical community assets that support agriculture, small businesses, and emergency response across California. When fair boards can’t meet due to quorum issues, it disrupts not only local economies but also our ability to serve as emergency staging and resiliency hubs,” said Andrew Trygg, CEO, Nevada County Fairgrounds and President of California Emergency Response and Resiliency Venues and Fairgrounds. “This bill provides a practical, commonsense solution to keep fairs operational and ensure they can continue serving their communities when it matters most.”

 

Cliff Munson, CEO Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds, encapsulated his support of AB 2588 saying, “this bill will allow fairgrounds to do the important work they need to do, it makes perfect sense.”

 

AB 2588 unanimously passed out of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture today, Wednesday the 25th, and now advances to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

 

“Rural communities rely on their fairs year-round,” Hadwick added. “AB 2588 is how we support one another and our communities; it gives us a way to still do business when Sacramento stalls, all while respecting due process.”

 

AB 2588 is supported by organizations including the California Fairs Alliance, Rural County Representatives of California, and California Emergency Response and Resiliency Venues and Fairgrounds.

 

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Contact: Taylor Martin (916) 319-2001