Cost-share grants for rollover protection structures

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Approved rollover protection structure

The term approved rollover protection structure means a rollover protection structure that the Program Administrator determines—(A)may be installed on eligible equipment;(B)includes a seatbelt; and(C)meets or exceeds the rollover protection structure standards.(2)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means, as determined by the Secretary— (A) an agricultural producer; and (B)an eligible school.(3)

Eligible equipment

The term eligible equipment means an agricultural tractor that the Program Administrator determines to be eligible for installation of an approved rollover protection structure.(4)

Eligible school

The term eligible school means—(A)a vocational school that provides agricultural instruction or training;(B)an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that provides direct, practical agricultural instruction or training; and(C)a public or private secondary school (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) the curriculum of which includes an agricultural instruction or training component.(5)

Program Administrator

The term Program Administrator means the organization selected by the Secretary under subsection (c)(1)(B).(6)

Rollover protection structure standards

The term rollover protection structure standards includes the following:(A)The SAE J2194 and SAE J1194 standards issued by the Society of Automotive Engineers (and successor standards).(B)Any other relevant national or international rollover protection structure manufacturing or testing standards.(7)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture. (b)

Cost-Share grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for the cost of purchasing, transporting, and installing on eligible equipment approved rollover protection structures. (2)

Limitations

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amount of a grant under this section shall equal 70 percent of the costs of the eligible entity to purchase, transport, and install the approved rollover protection structure. (B)

Exception

If, for an eligible entity that is the recipient of a grant under this section, the costs to purchase, transport, and install an approved rollover structure (as documented by the eligible entity) exceed $500, the amount of the grant shall be increased to cover an increased percentage (as determined by the Secretary) of such costs. (c)

Administration

(1)

Program Administrator

The Secretary shall—(A)seek competitive bids from nongovernmental organizations seeking to serve as the Program Administrator under this section;(B)select 1 organization from among the organizations that submit bids under subparagraph (A); and(C)enter into a cooperative agreement with that organization to carry out the activities described in paragraph (2).(2)

Duties

The Program Administrator shall—(A)identify—(i)approved rollover protection structures; and(ii)eligible equipment;(B)administer the application process under subsection (d); and(C)establish and administer a public website and phone hotline with information necessary—(i)to inform eligible entities, as described in subsection (a)(2), of the grant opportunities made available by this act, and(ii)to administer the application process under subsection (d).(d)

Applications

(1)

In general

To apply for a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Program Administrator an application, including documentation of the cost described in subsection (b)(2)(A).(2)

Approval or denial

On receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Program Administrator shall—(A)determine—(i)whether the applicant is eligible for a grant under this section; and(ii)the amount of a grant under this section for which the applicant is eligible; and(B)submit to the Secretary a notification of the determinations under subparagraph (A).(e)

Disbursement

On receipt of a notification under subsection (d)(2)(B), if an applicant is eligible for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall disburse to the eligible entity the amount of the grant described in subsection (d)(2)(A)(ii).(f)

Funding

(1)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $725,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.(2)

Allocation

Of the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for each fiscal year—(A)the Secretary shall use $500,000 for grants under this section; and(B)the Secretary shall transfer to the Program Administrator—(i)$125,000 for the promotion of, and upgrades to the website referred to in subsection (c)(2)(C); and(ii)$100,000 for the telephone hotline referred to in such subsection.