FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 12, 2026
Time Requested: 10:34 AM |
| Agency: |
Education, WV State Board of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 3235 |
Introduced |
HB4995 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Education (K12) |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
N/A
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund County boards of education
Legislation creates:
Increases Existing Expenses
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
In its current form, this legislation would require cameras in all connecting or supporting areas of special education self-contained classrooms, potentially extending coverage to all spaces serving students throughout a school. County board surveys indicate that 13,573 additional cameras would be needed beyond existing coverage, at an initial cost of $30,336,178 and an estimated annual recurring storage and maintenance cost of $2,701,027, based on approximately $199 per camera for cloud storage. The cost of required wearable audio-recording devices is indeterminate because it is unclear how often they would be needed, and operational realities may require some special education teachers to wear them full-time to ensure compliance.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
30,336,178 |
2,701,027 |
| 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):
This legislation, in its current form, would require the installation of cameras in all connecting or supporting areas of a special education self-contained classroom. Because students in self-contained classrooms receive services and support throughout the school facility, the language may reasonably be interpreted to require camera installation in all spaces that directly serve those students.
According to the safety and security survey completed by county boards, an additional 13,573 cameras would be needed to provide coverage in all student-occupied areas of school facilities. This number is in addition to the cameras already installed in public spaces and special education classrooms.
The estimated initial cost for these additional cameras is $30,336,178. In addition, the annual recurring cost for storage and maintenance is projected to be $2,701,027. This estimate is based on an average annual cloud storage cost of $199 per camera. However, this figure represents a baseline estimate and could vary significantly depending on the camera systems selected and implemented by county boards.
The cost associated with the required wearable audio recording devices cannot be determined at this time. It is unclear how frequently such devices would be required outside of self-contained bathroom settings. Operational realities may necessitate that each special education teacher providing applicable services wear an audio recording device on a full-time basis to ensure compliance with the legislation.
Finally, any expansion of video or audio recording within school facilities should be undertaken with consideration of parental notification requirements.
Memorandum
N/A
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Tina Payne
Email Address: tina.a.payne@k12.wv.us