A bill 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: S. 3580
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Agriculture and Food
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-01-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Last Updated: 2026-06-16T13:50:08Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, S. 3580, aims to enhance safety on agricultural tractors by establishing a federal grant program to subsidize the retrofitting of older tractors with rollover protection structures (ROPS). These structures are safety devices that prevent the operator from being crushed if the tractor tips over. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to implement this program through cost-sharing grants.

Key Provisions

Definitions:
An "approved rollover protection structure" is a ROPS certified by a program administrator to meet safety standards (e.g., SAE J2194 and J1194 from the Society of Automotive Engineers, or equivalent national/international standards), including a seatbelt, and suitable for installation on eligible tractors.
"Eligible entities" include agricultural producers (farmers) and "eligible schools" such as vocational schools, colleges/universities offering practical agricultural training, and secondary schools with agricultural programs.
"Eligible equipment" refers to agricultural tractors that can be retrofitted with an approved ROPS.
Grants:
The Secretary awards grants covering 70% of costs for purchasing, transporting, and installing approved ROPS on eligible tractors.
If total costs exceed $500 (as documented by the applicant), the grant percentage increases at the Secretary's discretion to cover more of the expense.
Administration:
The Secretary competitively selects a nongovernmental organization as the "Program Administrator" via bids and enters a cooperative agreement.
The Program 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 with cost documentation to the Program Administrator.
The Administrator verifies eligibility and grant amount, notifies the Secretary, who then disburses funds directly 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 Department of Agriculture, with no explicit references to amending prior laws. It creates a dedicated funding mechanism and administrative framework for tractor safety retrofits, potentially building on existing agricultural safety initiatives but establishing specific cost-share requirements and a third-party administrator role that did not previously exist in this form.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will manage grant disbursements, select administrators, and oversee compliance, increasing administrative workload but with dedicated funding to support it. No direct impacts on international relations.
Citizens: Agricultural producers and students in eligible schools gain access to subsidized safety upgrades, potentially reducing tractor rollover fatalities (a leading cause of farm-related deaths). This could lower injury risks for rural workers and youth in agriculture without full out-of-pocket costs.
Broader Effects: Improves overall farm safety standards, possibly encouraging more widespread adoption of ROPS on older equipment, though limited to authorized funds which may constrain the program's reach.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Agricultural Producers: Farmers who own eligible tractors and can apply for grants to retrofit equipment.
Eligible Schools: Vocational, higher education, and secondary institutions with agricultural training programs, benefiting from safer tractors for instructional use.
USDA and Program Administrator: The federal agency handles funding and oversight; the selected nongovernmental organization manages day-to-day operations.
Safety Organizations and Manufacturers: Groups like the Society of Automotive Engineers influence standards; ROPS manufacturers may see increased demand.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Establishes clear eligibility criteria and funding authorizations, ensuring accountability through documented costs and competitive bidding for the administrator. No enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance are specified, which could lead to future clarifications via regulations.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, to promote general welfare through safety programs; no apparent First Amendment or federalism issues, as it involves voluntary grants to individuals and institutions.
Political: Supports rural and agricultural communities by addressing a preventable safety hazard, potentially appealing to bipartisan interests in farm safety (as evidenced by cosponsors from diverse states). The limited funding scale suggests a targeted, cost-effective approach rather than a major overhaul, avoiding broad fiscal debates.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

Cosponsors (5)

Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Recent Actions

2026-01-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
2026-01-05: Introduced in Senate

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 2026-01-05 — PDF (7 pages)