The proposed bill aims to establish the West Virginia Farm Equipment Repair Pilot Program, which will be overseen by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The program is designed to address the challenges faced by farmers in the state when their farm equipment requires repairs or maintenance. It allows career and technical education centers, comprehensive high schools, or community and technical colleges to collaborate with businesses to create localized repair solutions and train students for future employment in this field. The bill limits the number of pilot programs to five and emphasizes a community partnership approach, requiring a strategic plan for implementation that includes deliverable, result-based items.

Additionally, the bill outlines definitions relevant to the program, such as "repair provider" and "business," and specifies 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 facilitate the program's implementation and operation. These rules will ensure that the program meets its objectives while protecting the interests of both farmers and businesses involved in farm equipment repair.

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