FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 15, 2017
Time Requested: 01:16 PM
Agency: Corrections, WV Division of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1939 Introduced HB2450
CBD Subject:


FUND(S):



Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


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


As of June 30, 2016, the WVDOC had 8 inmates incarcerated for Transporting Controlled Substances into the State for their most serious offense. The current minimum sentences for these offenses is one year before parole eligibility and the bill proposes increasing these minimums 9 years in the case of Narcotics and 4 years in the case of Sch 1,2,3 Non-Narcotics. The Average annual cost per inmate in FY 2016 was $27,684, if we estimate that the WVDOC receives about 8 new inmates per year for these offenses, the one to three year costs would be: Year 1 Cost $221,472.00 Year 2 Cost $442,944.00 Year 3 Cost $664,416.00 The following provisions of the bill that relate to mandatory minimums for those convicted of Distributing Controlled Substances of values over $1,000 or having be previously convicted could impact many more inmates. As of June 30, 2016, the WVDOC had a total of 533 inmates incarcerated for these offenses as their most serious crime. The WVDOC does not have data on the street value of the drugs in their possession at the time of arrest so cannot provide specific estimates; however, if just 50 new offenders per year are impacted the year one to three costs would be: Year 1 Cost $1,384,200.00 Year 2 Cost $2,768,400.00 Year 3 Cost $4,152,600.00



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2017
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2018
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
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):






Memorandum


The provisions for increased mandatory minimums could lead to inmates being discharged as a result of good time accumulation prior to their parole eligibility in cases where the minimum sentence is 50% or more of the maximum.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Brad Douglas
    Email Address: brad.t.douglas@wv.gov