(a) Notwithstanding Section 4052, the California Exposition and State Fair, a district agricultural association fair, or county fair in the northern zone, with the approval of the Department of Food and Agriculture, may form an entity for conducting combined fair horseracing meetings and utilize their racing facilities for conducting horseracing meetings, with parimutuel wagering, on days other than the days on which general fair activities are conducted. A combined fair horseracing meeting pursuant to this section shall be a general fair activity for the purpose of § 19549 of the Business and Professions Code.

(b) The association shall designate certain days of a mixed breed meeting held pursuant to this section as charity days with the proceeds therefrom to be distributed in accordance with Sections 19550 and 19556 of the Business and Professions Code.

(c) The association shall encourage the racing of emerging breeds of horses.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 741, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)