28th District Agricultural Association: joint powers agreement.

Existing law divides the state into agricultural districts within the boundaries of which agricultural associations may be formed. Existing law provides that District 28 is the County of San Bernardino. This bill would authorize the 28th District Agricultural Association, with the consent of the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, to enter into a joint powers agreement for the purpose of creating a joint powers agency to operate, maintain, and improve the facilities and functions of the 28th District Agricultural Association. The bill would specify the powers of the joint powers agency, and would authorize it to accept the donation of, acquire, own, sell, or lease real property and to pledge its property or revenue for the sale of bonds to construct, equip, and furnish related facilities, except that the bill would prohibit the joint powers agency from selling, divesting, or pledging real property owned by the state without statutory authorization or the express consent of the Department of Food and Agriculture and the Department of General Services. The bill would permit employees of the 28th District Agricultural Association to make an election concerning employment with the joint powers agency, as provided. This bill would provide that the state is not liable for any debt of the joint powers agency. Existing law authorizes a nonprofit organization or a joint powers agency that holds an annual fair, as specified, to elect to be a member of the network of California fairs on conditions mutually agreed upon by the Department of Food and Agriculture and the nonprofit organization. This bill would also provide that the joint powers agency for the 28th District Agricultural Association may elect to be a member of the network of California fairs on terms and conditions mutually agreed upon by the Department of Food and Agriculture and the joint powers agency.