Bill > SB95

This bill establishes the West Virginia Farm Equipment Repair Pilot Program to address difficulties farmers face with equipment repairs, including access to necessary tools and the risk of voiding warranties. The program aims to create a solution that supports farmers without hindering dealerships or manufacturers. It will partner vocational and technical schools with farm equipment businesses, such as manufacturers and dealerships, to train students using provided equipment and skills, thereby developing a local workforce capable of repairing farm equipment. A "repair provider" is defined as an entity licensed by a manufacturer to service their equipment, or the manufacturer itself, and also includes students trained in the pilot program and their designated instructors. "Farm Equipment" refers to machinery used for agricultural operations, excluding vehicles for public roads. The Commissioner of Agriculture can authorize up to five pilot programs, which will be developed through community partnerships and require collaboration with the Commissioner to create an implementation plan. These plans may include memorandums of understanding between participating entities, and importantly, businesses and repair providers will not be forced to reveal proprietary information. The Commissioner, along with the West Virginia Board of Education and the Higher Education Policy Commission, is authorized to create rules to implement and manage the pilot program, ensuring its smooth operation and the necessary agreements are in place.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=95&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill