FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: March 01, 2017
Time Requested: 12:12 PM |
| Agency: |
State Police, WV |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2727 |
Introduced |
HB2762 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
|
|---|
|
FUND(S):
0453
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund
Legislation creates:
Neither Program nor Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this piece of legislation is to authorize the superintendent of the West Virginia State Police to hire additional forensic laboratory employees for the purpose of addressing the severe case backlog. This will result in a tremendous benefit and cost savings to the entire judicial system as the number of delayed and continued cases will be reduced.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2017
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2018
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
1,898,242 |
1,607,284 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
919,002 |
927,969 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
309,240 |
309,315 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
70,000 |
70,000 |
| Assets |
0 |
600,000 |
300,000 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Estimates were not provided for FY2017 because the State Police would not be able to advertise, interview, perform background investigations, and hire employees before FY2018.
FY2018: These estimates are for hiring 12 Forensic Analysts, 3 Evidence Technicians, and expenses to cover the necessary laboratory supplies and equipment needed to address the Forensic Laboratory Backlog. Funds to repair laboratory equipment are also included.
FY2019: Funds include the continued employee costs plus funding for supplies and repairs. Equipment costs should decrease after the first year.
Memorandum
The number of backlogged cases at the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory has increased dramatically over the last few years from 1,713 cases in February 2013 to 4,933 cases in June, 2016. The increased backlog is primarily due to insufficient staffing. Courts are now issuing Orders for results to be completed and subpoenas are issued to personnel to explain why the Court Orders were not adhered to. There were 887 court orders/expedited requests received in 2015. This alone makes up 18 percent of the backlog which equates to an extra, annual expenditure of $10,996,252 to West Virginia’s 55 counties in unnecessary Regional Jail fees. Conservatively, it estimated 25 percent of the backlog is associated with persons in the regional jail system awaiting trial which equates to $15,272,572 in unnecessary jail fees being charged to the county commissions. With crime rates increasing and the drug epidemic at a record high in the State, investigators need laboratory results as quickly as possible to move cases through the criminal justice system and reduce unnecessary costs.
Two separate external assessments/audits for the Drug Identification and the DNA Analysis Sections have indicated insufficient staffing for the criminal casework being requested causing unnecessary delays for providing test results. A fully staffed (additional 15 analysts/technicians) forensic laboratory will reduce the amount of regional jail fees West Virginia’s 55 counties are currently paying. Furthermore, the entire judicial system will realize a benefit as the number of delayed and continued court cases will be reduced.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Connie E Gundy, Comptroller
Email Address: connie.e.gundy@wvsp.gov