FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 10, 2024
Time Requested: 08:09 PM |
| Agency: |
State Police, WV |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1235 |
Introduced |
HB4221 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Motor Vehicles |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
6501
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Decreases Existing Revenue
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
Summarize in a clear and concise manner what impact this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
This piece of legislation would eliminate the West Virginia State Police Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) program, eliminating approximately $4,115,943 of special revenue which fully funds 23 full time positions, 4 part time positions, State Police vehicle purchases and rentals, Vehicle Radios, other vehicle equipment, and the administration of numerous public safety initiatives.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2025
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 |
-4,115,943 |
-4,115,943 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Please explain increases and decreases in personal services, current expenses, repairs and alterations, assets, other costs and revenues, including assumptions and data sources and delineation between start-up and ongoing costs. Please also include a long-range schedule of costs and revenues if fiscal impact is expected to vary in future years.
The revenue received from the sale of Motor Vehicle Inspection Stickers generated approximately $4,115,943 in FY2023 with the same or more anticipated annually in the future. The elimination of vehicle inspections would eliminate this critical source of revenue for the West Virginia State Police.
Memorandum
Please identify any areas of vagueness, technical defects, reasons a bill would not have a fiscal impact, and/or any special issues not captured elsewhere on this form.
The Motor Vehicle Inspection section of the West Virginia State Police is responsible for helping to ensure the vehicles on the state’s highways are safe and roadworthy through the inspection program. It is paramount for public safety to have proper functioning vehicles for the types of terrain and weather conditions in this State. The employees in the MVI Section oversee the Administration of the Commission on Drunk Driving Program and other special overtime grants given by Highway Safety for things such as Distracted Driving, Speed Enforcement, and Highway Safety Driving Under the Influence Grants. The West Virginia State Police General Revenue is not capable of absorbing these employees, vehicles, or administration costs and therefore most, if not all of these public safety programs could not be sustained.
There is no way to predict the impact on small businesses within the State that wholly or partially depend on the MVI program to maintain a successful business. Many of the businesses involved have been surveyed and have advised at the very least, layoffs could occur within their individual businesses. Furthermore, it is impossible to quantify the amount of tax dollars that would be lost from repairs made to vehicles because of an inspection failure. We believe there could be an impact to both garages and parts supply stores throughout the State. This program has become a miniature industry within the State and many small business owners would be concerned with the loss of the program. This is a significant public safety concern that could cost the citizens thousands of dollars with repairs that could have been caught and repaired early on before damage is unrepairable or causes a serious accident or death.
It is noteworthy to include that insurance rates could be impacted as well. Stations check insurance cards and make sure that license plates are valid as well, so both of those things could be impacted by the loss. The fact that in recent years thousands of fake stickers have been purchased for $50 and over per sticker shows that people will do almost anything to keep from making their vehicle legal. Fraudulent stickers equate to unsafe vehicles on the roadways putting our families and friends in harm’s way.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Connie E Gundy, Comptroller
Email Address: connie.e.gundy@wvsp.gov