To require the Secretary of Agriculture to make cost-share grants for retrofitting agricultural tractors with rollover protection structures, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6944
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-06: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T13:38:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (H.R. 6944) aims to enhance safety on agricultural tractors by establishing a federal grant program to help cover the costs of retrofitting older tractors with rollover protection structures (ROPS). These structures are protective frames designed to prevent serious injury or death if a tractor tips over, and they must include seatbelts.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Approved rollover protection structure (ROPS): A structure certified by the program administrator as installable on eligible tractors, including a seatbelt, and meeting standards like those from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE J2194 and SAE J1194) or similar national/international benchmarks.
- Eligible entities: Agricultural producers (farmers) and eligible schools, which include vocational schools, colleges, or secondary schools offering agricultural training.
- Eligible equipment: Agricultural tractors suitable for ROPS installation, as determined by the program administrator.
- Grants:
- The Secretary of Agriculture awards cost-share grants covering 70% of the costs for purchasing, transporting, and installing approved ROPS.
- If total costs exceed $500 (as documented by the applicant), the grant percentage increases based on a determination by the Secretary.
- Administration:
- The Secretary competitively bids and selects a nongovernmental organization as the program administrator to enter a cooperative agreement.
- The administrator identifies approved ROPS and eligible tractors, manages applications, and maintains a public website and phone hotline to inform eligible entities and process applications.
- Application and Disbursement Process:
- Eligible entities submit applications to the administrator with cost documentation.
- The administrator reviews eligibility and grant amounts, notifies the Secretary, who then disburses funds to approved applicants.
- Funding:
- Authorizes $725,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
- Allocation: $500,000 for grants; $125,000 for website promotion/upgrades; $100,000 for the hotline.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new grant program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with no explicit amendments to prior laws. It builds on existing safety standards (e.g., SAE guidelines) by creating a dedicated federal funding mechanism for ROPS retrofits, which was not previously mandated or funded at this level through cost-sharing.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The USDA will administer the program, including selecting a partner organization and managing disbursements, potentially increasing administrative workload and requiring budget allocations from Congress.
- Citizens: Farmers and agricultural trainees benefit from subsidized safety upgrades, potentially reducing tractor rollover accidents (a leading cause of farm fatalities). This could lower injury rates and healthcare costs in rural areas.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though adoption of international ROPS standards may encourage alignment with global agricultural safety practices.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Agricultural Producers: Farmers who own eligible tractors and can apply for grants to improve equipment safety.
- Eligible Schools: Vocational, higher education, and secondary institutions with agricultural programs, enabling safer training environments.
- USDA and Program Administrator: The federal agency oversees funding and compliance; the selected nongovernmental organization handles day-to-day operations.
- Tractor Manufacturers and Suppliers: Indirectly affected through increased demand for approved ROPS components.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes clear eligibility criteria and funding limits, with cooperative agreements ensuring accountability without creating new regulatory burdens. Relies on existing education laws for school definitions.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the program falls under Congress's spending power to promote public welfare and safety in agriculture.
- Political: Supports rural and farming communities by addressing a key occupational hazard, potentially appealing to agricultural districts. The competitive bidding for administration promotes efficiency and private-sector involvement, though funding levels are modest and time-limited (five years).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-06: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-01-06: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To require the Secretary of Agriculture to make cost-share grants for retrofitting agricultural tractors with rollover protection structures, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-01-06 — PDF (7 pages)