FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 05, 2016
Time Requested: 04:47 PM
Agency: State Police, West Virginia
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1448 Introduced HB4219
CBD Subject: Public Safety


FUND(S):

6501

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


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


This piece of legislation removes the inspection oversight of the West Virginia State Police (WVSP) for motor vehicle inspection (MVI) stations by eliminating 14 filled Inspector positions at a cost of $1,007,704 and replacing them with a $500 per station surety bond payable to the Division of Motor Vehicles by the stations. WVSP inspectors currently audit inspection stickers on hand vs number of inspections completed and puts unaccounted stickers into NCIC as a stolen article to be investigated. They also investigate consumer and law enforcement complaints, train MVI mechanics in proper inspections techniques, administer the test that certifies them, and ensure that new stations have all minimum equipment to complete a proper inspection.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2017
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 -1,007,704 -1,007,704
Personal Services 0 -636,527 -636,527
Current Expenses 0 -4,321 -4,321
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 -366,856 -366,856
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


The estimates reflect salary, benefits, and vehicles for 14 active inspectors whose positions would be eliminated by this piece of legislation.



Memorandum


This piece of legislation is contradictory in that its purpose is to eliminate the authorization for WVSP to examine vehicle inspection stations, yet 17C-16-5(a) and (b) places the responsibility of inspections on the Superintendent of the State Police in that the superintendent must be "satisfied that the inspection station is properly equipped and has competent personnel to make the inspections and adjustments and that the inspections and adjustments will be properly conducted." It is unclear how this can be accomplished without inspecting the stations.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Connie E Gundy
    Email Address: connie.e.gundy@wvsp.gov