The proposed bill aims to establish the West Virginia Farm Equipment Repair Pilot Program, which will be overseen by the Commissioner of Agriculture. This program is designed to address the challenges faced by farmers in West Virginia when their farm equipment requires repairs or maintenance. The bill allows for the creation of up to five pilot programs in collaboration with career and technical education centers, comprehensive high schools, or community and technical colleges. These institutions will partner with local businesses to provide instructors with the necessary educational tools and technologies to facilitate localized repairs and train students for future employment in this field. The program will be initiated through a collaborative planning process with the Commissioner, ensuring that it meets the needs of all stakeholders involved.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific definitions related to the program, including terms such as "repair provider" and "business," and emphasizes that proprietary training, tools, or software will not need to be disclosed by participating businesses. The Commissioner, in collaboration with the West Virginia Board of Education and the Higher Education Policy Commission, is tasked with proposing legislative rules to guide the implementation and operation of the pilot program. These rules will address the necessary facilitation for program administration and any agreements required between educational institutions and businesses involved in the pilot program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 19-40-1, 19-40-2, 19-40-3, 19-40-4
Committee Substitute: 19-40-1, 19-40-2, 19-40-3, 19-40-4