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

Bill Summary: H.R. 6944 - Agricultural Tractor Rollover Protection Grant Program

Overview

H.R. 6944 is a legislative proposal designed to improve safety for agricultural workers and students by providing financial assistance to retrofit tractors with Rollover Protection Structures (ROPS). The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a cost-share grant program to help eligible entities purchase and install approved safety structures and seatbelts on applicable agricultural equipment.

Key Provisions

1. Eligibility

The bill identifies two primary groups eligible to apply for grants:
* Agricultural Producers: Farmers and commercial agricultural operations.
* Eligible Schools: This includes vocational schools providing agricultural training, institutions of higher education with practical agricultural programs, and public or private secondary schools with agricultural curricula.

2. Grant Funding and Cost-Sharing

The program is designed as a cost-share initiative to lower the financial barrier to safety upgrades:
* Standard Grant: The government will cover 70% of the costs associated with purchasing, transporting, and installing an approved ROPS.
* Financial Exception: If the total cost of installation exceeds $500, the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to increase the grant percentage to cover a larger portion of the costs.

3. Administration

To manage the program, the Secretary of Agriculture will enter into a cooperative agreement with a Program Administrator (a selected non-governmental organization). The Administrator's responsibilities include:
* Identifying approved ROPS (which must meet SAE J2194 and SAE J1194 standards or other relevant national/international standards) and eligible equipment.
* Managing the application process.
* Operating a public website and telephone hotline to inform eligible entities about the program.

Funding and Timeline

The bill authorizes a specific budget for the implementation of this program over a five-year period:
* Total Annual Appropriation: $725,000 per fiscal year from 2027 through 2031.
* Annual Fund Allocation:
* $500,000 dedicated directly to the cost-share grants.
* $125,000 for website promotion and upgrades.
* $100,000 for the operation of the telephone hotline.

Impact and Purpose

The primary intent of this bill is to reduce fatalities and serious injuries caused by tractor rollovers—one of the most dangerous risks in farming. By targeting both active producers and educational institutions, the bill aims to protect current agricultural workers and instill safety habits in the next generation of farmers.