II
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4611
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 17, 2020
Mr. Jones introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a grant program to address the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on State and local fairs, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act
.
State and local fair grant program
Definitions
In this section:
Covered entity
The term covered entity means a State agricultural agency with responsibility for operating a State or local fair.
Program
The term Program means the program established under subsection (b).
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
State
The term State means—
a State;
the District of Columbia; and
a territory of the United States.
Establishment
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to address the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on State and local fairs.
Grant authority and eligible entities
In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may make, on a competitive basis, grants to States in accordance with this section.
Applications
To be eligible for a grant under the Program, a State shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
Grant uses
A State may only use grant funds provided under the Program to assist a covered entity in addressing cost coverage issues relating to the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on State and local fairs, including by identifying opportunities to provide virtual education and entertainment relating to agriculture.
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the Program $5,000,000,000 for each of—
fiscal year 2021; and
each fiscal year thereafter any portion of which occurs during the period of the national emergency declared by the President under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19).