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 the state 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 programs will work with local businesses to provide instructors with the necessary educational tools and technologies to train students in localized farm equipment repairs, ultimately preparing them for future employment in this field.

Additionally, the bill outlines the roles and definitions of key participants, including "repair providers" and "businesses," and emphasizes the importance of community partnerships in implementing the pilot programs. It prohibits repair providers and businesses from being required to disclose proprietary training, tools, or software to participate. The Commissioner, in collaboration with the West Virginia Board of Education and the Higher Education Policy Commission, is tasked with proposing legislative rules to facilitate the program's implementation and ensure its effectiveness.

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