Section 262.270

Title XVII AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS

Chapter 262

Effective - 28 Aug 1994   

  262.270.  Director, powers — gambling prohibited, exception for pari-mutuel wagering — serving intoxicating liquor prohibited, exception — cooperation from other agencies, reimbursement. — 1.  The director shall make and, after its creation, the commission shall approve all rules, regulations and bylaws necessary and suitable for the conduct and control of the exhibitions, the sale of privileges, and for the proper control, operation and conduct of the fair not inconsistent with the law relevant to the operation of the state fair or with the constitution and laws of this state.  All contracts granted after January 1, 1996, in relation to the state fair and state fairgrounds shall be approved by the commission and shall not be valid until approved.  The director may employ necessary personnel for the proper management of the fair, and may rent or enter into long-term leases for a period not to exceed fifteen years with a right of renewal on consent of all parties or donate the use of any portion of the grounds and buildings for such purposes as he deems proper, section 37.005 or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, and the grounds may be used, free of charge, by the state for encampment grounds for the state troops under the direction of the adjutant general of Missouri; except that in no event shall the rental or donation of the use of the grounds be allowed to interfere with the preparation for or the holding of the Missouri state fair.  He shall not, directly or indirectly, permit any gambling devices of whatever nature other than for licensed pari-mutuel wagering conducted under the direction of the Missouri horse racing commission to be operated on the grounds, nor permit any intoxicating liquors, wine or beer to be sold thereon except in a facility operated as a part of and in conjunction with a restaurant facility operated in conjunction with and as a part of the facilities used for the conducting of horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering or except as provided in section 311.487.

  2.  The director with the approval of the commission may appoint and employ as many special policemen as are needed to maintain order or prevent breaches of the peace on and about the grounds whereon the fair is held.  Before entering upon the discharge of his office, each special policeman shall take and subscribe an oath of office to faithfully and impartially discharge the duties thereof before an associate circuit judge or other official empowered to administer oaths in the county wherein the fair is held; and the officer shall give to such special policeman a certificate of his appointment and qualification, which shall clothe him with the same power to maintain order, preserve the peace and make arrests as is now held by a peace officer.  In addition, any such special policeman may arrest and expel from the grounds persons violating the rules, regulations and bylaws of the Missouri state fair, under order of the director or his duly authorized representative.

  3.  The commission may request assistance from any state agency and may reimburse the contributing agency for the expense of cooperation involved from state fair fund.

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(RSMo 1939 § 14159, A. 1949 S.B. 1091, A.L. 1967 p. 370, A.L. 1986 S.B. 572, A.L. 1987 S.B. 384, A.L. 1993 S.B. 76, A.L. 1994 S.B. 692)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 12480; 1919 § 12049; 1909 § 681