H.R. 6944: To require the Secretary of Agriculture to make cost-share grants for retrofitting agricultural tractors with rollover protection structures, and for other purposes.

This bill, known as H.R. 6944, aims to improve the safety of agricultural tractors by providing financial assistance to farmers and educational institutions for retrofitting tractors with rollover protection structures (RPS). Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Cost-Share Grants

The core component of the bill involves offering cost-share grants. These grants are intended to help eligible entities cover the expenses related to:

• Purchasing approved rollover protection structures.
• Transporting these structures.
• Installing them onto eligible agricultural tractors.

Definitions

Key terms are defined in the bill as follows:

• Approved Rollover Protection Structure: A structure that meets certain safety standards, includes a seatbelt, and is suitable for eligible equipment.
• Eligible Entity: This includes agricultural producers and educational institutions that provide agricultural training.
• Eligible Equipment: Refers specifically to agricultural tractors deemed suitable for the retrofitting of an approved RPS.
• Rollover Protection Structure Standards: These are safety standards that must be met, such as those established by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Grant Amounts

The bill specifies that:

• The Secretary of Agriculture will provide grants equal to 70% of the costs incurred by an eligible entity for the approved RPS.
• If the total costs exceed $500, the grant amount may be increased based on the costs documented by the entity.

Program Administration

The bill mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture select a nongovernmental organization to act as the Program Administrator. This entity will be responsible for:

• Identifying approved structures and eligible tractors.
• Managing the application process for the grants.
• Providing public information regarding grant opportunities through a website and phone hotline.

Application Process

Eligible entities must submit an application to the Program Administrator for grant consideration. Upon reviewing the applications, the Administrator will determine eligibility and the amount of the grant. Successful applications will be forwarded to the Secretary for grant disbursement.

Funding Provisions

The bill authorizes funding of $725,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 to 2031. This funding will be allocated as follows:

• $500,000 for the grants themselves.
• $125,000 for promoting the program and website updates.
• $100,000 for maintaining the telephone hotline.

Implementation Timeline

The bill is intended to be implemented over several years, allowing for the gradual installation of rollover protection structures on agricultural tractors, with the goal of enhancing safety in the agriculture sector.

Relevant Companies

None found.