Tractor safety efforts hit a legislative hurdle

Despite mounting support for farm safety efforts at the State Capitol, a DFL leader warned Thursday that proposed cuts to agricultural spending could jeopardize a bill that would likely reduce the number of Minnesota farmworkers killed in tractor overturns.

Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL leader of the House committee on agriculture finance, said legislative leaders have asked the committee to trim $2 million from agricultural spending this year, despite a state surplus of $900 million.

"I am probably going to be the bearer of bad news," Poppe said during Thursday's hearing on the farm safety bill. "It is going to be challenging to figure out how we move forward."

The news disturbed other committee members.

"We have a surplus of $900 million, and to be cutting agriculture at this time is very disappointing news," said Rep. Clark Johnson, DFL-North Mankato, who wants the Legislature to dramatically boost farm safety efforts.

After the announcement, the committee deferred action on a bill that would create a statewide program offering rebates to farmers willing to add roll bars and seat belts to vintage tractors that lack the safety equipment.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, would cost the state $250,000 a year.

A Star Tribune series published in 2015 showed that more than 1,700 U.S. farmworkers have died in tractor accidents since 2003, and rollovers accounted for about 40 percent of those fatalities.

In Minnesota, tractors remain the No. 1 killer on the family farm, with older-model tractors accounting for the majority of fatal crashes.

"I totally support the bill," said Republican Rep. Brian Daniels, noting that there are more than 80,000 vintage tractors in Minnesota that lack roll bars or enclosed cabs.

Under the proposal, the state would cover 70 percent of the cost of installing roll bars, with farmers facing a maximum out-of-pocket charge of $500. Participation would be voluntary. When used with a seat belt, roll bars are 99 percent effective in preventing death or serious injury in a tractor overturn, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

After the hearing, the Republican leader of the House Ways and Means Committee said he is already working on a plan that would cover the $2 million in agricultural savings sought by legislative leaders.

Turkey and chicken farmers would not go unprotected, he added, as new legislation will allow them to qualify for an existing disaster contingency fund.

However, Poppe said she can't commit to farm safety efforts because of competing legislative priorities.

Anderson said he remains optimistic about his proposal.

"I've been assured that the tractor rollover bill will be funded," he said after the hearing.