Sec. 1. 27 MRSA c. 15, sub-c. III is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER III

ARTS AT MAINE FAIRS SUBSIDY PROGRAM

§431.__Arts at Maine Fairs Subsidy Program

The Maine Arts Commission shall establish the Arts at Maine Fairs Subsidy Program, referred to in this subchapter as the "program," to encourage fairs in the State to feature performing artists from the State by providing a subsidy to fairs that feature performing artists from the State.

§432.__Responsibilities of Maine Arts Commission

To accomplish the goal of the program, the Maine Arts Commission shall:

1.__Artist roster.__Provide a roster of performing artists from the State to all fair organizations in the State by September 1st of each year for subsidy applications under subsection 2 for the following fair season;

2.__Application.__Provide an application form with the performing artists from the state roster under subsection 1 to all fair organizations in the State with notice of application deadline and an explanation of the requirements necessary to receive the subsidy provided under subsection 3 from the Maine Arts Commission.__All applications must be reviewed and approved or disapproved by April 15th of each year; and

3.__Subsidy.__Provide a subsidy of up to 50% of a performing artist's fee for performing or up to $1,000 to each eligible fair organization by May 15th of each year.__A fair may not receive a subsidy for the same artist for 2 consecutive years.

§433.__Responsibilities of state fair applicants

Any fair in the State receiving a subsidy under the program shall:

1.__Advertisement.__Advertise and present a performing artist from this State as a single attraction sponsored by the Maine Arts Commission; and

2.__Accommodations.__Provide adequate accommodations to a performing artist from this State, including a stage and dressing area, full payment of the performing artist's fee prior to performance and a free marketing location on the fairgrounds.