FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 12, 2024
Time Requested: 05:11 PM
Agency: Agriculture, WV Department of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1936 Introduced HB4657
CBD Subject: Constitutional Officers


FUND(S):

General

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Creates New Expense



Fiscal Note Summary


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


HB4657 revises section 6-7-2 of article 7 to provide a $2,000 monthly housing allowance to state constitutional officers to be used for housing in the seat of state government beginning in calendar year 2025. This increased cost would require an additional general revenue appropriation. The below estimates and memorandum are prepared only for the impact the bill would have on the Department of Agriculture and not other constitutional offices.



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 12,000 24,000
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 12,000 24,000
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):


As the housing allowance would be effective in calendar year 2025, there will not be any estimated FY2024. FY2025 costs are estimated at $12,000 (6 months x $2,000), with $24,000 upon full implementation (12 months x $2,000) for the Department of Agriculture. This annual cost would require an additional general revenue appropriation. There will also be minimal costs for staff time to process monthly disbursements in HRM. There will not be any effect on revenue.



Memorandum


The allowance would need to be reviewed to determine if it qualified as a taxable benefit to an elected official. If determined taxable, the constitutional officer would incur an additional personal income tax liability as the amount of the allowance would be added to gross wages. It appears that there is a drafting error in 6-7-2 (a) (4) as the text states "The salary of the Commissioner of Agriculture...." when referring to the housing allowance



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Laryssa Hoskins, on behalf of Alan Clemans, CFO
    Email Address: lhoskins@wvda.us