FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 26, 2015
Time Requested: 11:29 AM
Agency: Education, Department of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2414 Introduced HB2388
CBD Subject: Motor Vehicles


FUND(S):



Sources of Revenue:

Other Fund N/A

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The purpose of this bill is to require the State Board of Education to cause school buses to be equipped with safety belts.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2015
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 91,755,149 4,618,399
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 91,755,149 4,618,399
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


The estimated cost to the State for the proposed legislation is $91,755,149 for 2015-16 and $4,618,399 thereafter. The language in this proposed legislation is not clear as to whether all existing buses in the fleet are to be retrofitted with seat belts or only buses purchased after July 1, 2015. The estimate herein assumes all existing buses must be retrofitted with seat belts during fiscal year 2015-16 and that all newly purchased buses will include factory or dealer installed seat belts. The proposed legislation also is unclear as to whether county boards of education or the State will bear the direct cost of retrofitting buses. The language of the proposed legislation suggests, and this estimate herein assumes that the State will bear the direct cost of retrofitting existing buses with seat belts. The 2015-16 estimated cost to the State of $91,755,149 is made up of $87,136,750 for retrofitting existing buses and $4,618,399 paid to county boards of education as increased Step 4 bus replacement allowance due to the increased replacement cost of buses. The cost to the State for fiscal years after 2015-16 is made up entirely of $4,618,399 paid to county boards of education as increased Step 4 bus replacement allowance due to the increased replacement cost of buses. This fiscal note does not include potential costs to the county boards of education for increased maintenance costs on seat belts, additional bus aides to assist pre-k and kindergarten students with buckling their seat belts, installation of driver seat belt monitoring systems, and potential costs related to loss of seating capacity due to installation of thicker seat backs and fixed buckle spacing.



Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Brenda Freed
    Email Address: bfreed@k12.wv.us