(a) The authority of the Department of Food and Agriculture shall include, but is not limited to, requiring district agricultural associations to meet all applicable standards prescribed by the Department of Food and Agriculture.
(b) The department may delegate approval authority for such matters as the department may determine to the board of directors if the board complies with this section.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, and in order to protect the integrity of the Fair and Exposition Fund, the department may assume any or all rights, duties, and powers of the board of directors of a district agricultural association if the department reasonably determines that there is insufficient fiscal or administrative control. The board of directors shall again exercise these rights, duties, and powers when the department determines that the fair is in compliance with this section.
(d) The department may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for an order appointing the department, or a person designated by the department, as a receiver if it determines that the fair is insolvent, or is in imminent danger of insolvency. The court shall appoint a receiver upon a showing that the fair is insolvent, or is in imminent danger of insolvency.
(e) For the purposes of this section, “insolvency” means that the district agricultural association is unable to discharge its debts as they become due in the usual course of business.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 728, Sec. 16. (SB 71) Effective January 1, 2013.)