The California State Senate Agriculture Committee convened on April 29, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 493, which aims to revise compensation structures for secretary managers of District Agricultural Associations (DAAs). The bill was presented by a committee member who emphasized the critical role these managers play in overseeing fairground operations, which serve as essential infrastructure for emergency responses, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The discussion began with an overview of the responsibilities of secretary managers, who manage staff, facilities, budgets, and marketing efforts for fairgrounds. These venues are not only sites for entertainment but also vital for community resilience, acting as emergency shelters and staging areas during disasters. The presenter noted that current state law limits the ability of some secretary managers to receive competitive salaries, which hampers recruitment and retention efforts.

The bill proposes to rename fair managers to secretary managers and transfer the authority to determine their compensation to the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. This change is intended to ensure that these managers receive fair and competitive pay reflective of their extensive responsibilities.

Sarah Pelley, a secretary manager from the Yolo County Fair, spoke in support of SB 493, highlighting the significant contributions of DAAs during emergencies. She noted that fairgrounds had been activated 30 times in the previous year for community responses, yet funding from the state remains minimal. Pelley pointed out that the position of secretary manager has never undergone a formal salary review, despite the increasing complexity of their roles, which now include emergency response coordination and facility management year-round.

The bill also aims to establish a salary survey to determine fair compensation ranges, with updates every three years, and to remove the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) from the salary approval process. This change is seen as necessary to allow the board of directors, appointed by the governor, to evaluate performance-based raises more effectively.

The committee's discussions underscored the urgency of addressing the compensation issues faced by secretary managers, as turnover rates are expected to rise significantly in the coming years. SB 493 seeks to standardize the title of fair manager to secretary manager, reflecting the evolving nature of their responsibilities and the critical public service they provide. The committee's deliberations on this bill will continue as they consider its implications for the future of agricultural associations in California.