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Bill would let fairs judge contests up to 24 hours before opening to qualify for stipend distributions
Summary
LD 2026 would allow judging for competitions and premiums up to 24 hours before official fair dates so stipend fund distributions can include those prizes. Fair organizers, the Department and association representatives said the change reduces volunteer strain and safety risks when judging during open fair hours.
Representative Bill Plucker told the committee LD 2026 would permit agricultural fairs to conduct judging up to 24 hours before the official fair date and still qualify those prizes and premiums when distributing stipend funds. The change is intended to reduce operational bottlenecks and allow volunteers to both judge and support other fair duties.
Michelle Webb of the Department of Agriculture said the bill would amend Title 7, section 86 (paragraph 5), which directs stipend distributions, to clarify that prizes judged within 24 hours before a licensee's fair dates are included when calculating payments. Webb said the department supports the revision and that it applies to categories listed in section 86.
Representatives of fairs and fair associations described practical constraints when judging during open hours: Hope Ricker (Pittston Fair) and Darlene Newcomb (Windsor Fair) explained volunteer capacity and safety concerns, while Judy Taylor Gagnon (Cumberland County Fair exhibition hall) provided counts — 2,396 entries at Cumberland — to illustrate the workload and security issues when judging occurs while the exhibition hall is open. Barry Norris (Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs) noted some fairs had previously given up premiums because of the judging requirement and urged flexibility.
Committee members asked whether the statutory change should be limited to exhibition halls or include livestock and other categories; witnesses indicated either approach could work and the department said it would be happy to discuss at work session. The hearing closed with committee members asking staff to review details ahead of a work session.
