FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 13, 2023
Time Requested: 12:06 PM |
| Agency: |
Higher Education Policy Commission |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 3602 |
Introduced |
HB3374 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Education (Higher) |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
General
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund
Legislation creates:
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 bill creates a waiver for veterans and their dependents from the payment of tuition, dues, fees, and other required charges, including fees for correspondence courses and distance learning courses but excluding general deposit fees, student services fees, and any fees or charges for lodging, board, or clothing at an institution of higher education within this state. The governing board of each institution is responsible for the award and reporting of tuition and fee waivers in accordance with the requirements contained in the bill. The West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance will develop rules and procedures in consultation with the Higher Education Policy Commission for implementing the provisions of the legislation.
The Higher Education Policy Commission cannot accurately estimate the number of veterans, spouses, and children who might apply for this waiver. There are more than 141,000 veterans in the State of West Virginia. Our data shows that only about half of the veterans have any college at all and the majority are over age 40, but we do not know the status of their dependents. Over 13,100 veterans are utilizing GI benefits across 62 facilities in West Virginia, which includes all colleges and universities as well as certificate programs, on-the-job training programs, and apprenticeships. Thus, there is a wide gap between veterans using existing benefits and those (including dependents) that would be eligible under this legislation.
While we don’t anticipate the need for additional agency appropriations, the fiscal impact at our institutions could be significant. The average cost of tuition and fees (excluding room and board) at our four-year institutions is $8,500 per year. This means $850,000 for every 100 waivers granted. Based on an eligible population of well over 100,000, perhaps several hundred thousand, the cost of this program could be very high in lost revenue at our institutions.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2023
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2024
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):
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.
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.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Robert Wallett
Email Address: robert.wallett@wvhepc.edu