FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 16, 2026
Time Requested: 01:53 PM |
| Agency: |
Education, WV State Board of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1822 |
Introduced |
HB4402 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Education (K12); Public Safety |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
N/A
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund N/A
Legislation creates:
Increases Existing Expenses
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
This legislation, in its current form, allows teachers in West Virginia to request the installation of video or audio recording devices in classrooms, subject to the school principal's approval. Because the legislation is permissive, a direct fiscal impact cannot be determined. Local costs may be incurred for installing recording equipment; however, the extent of those costs is unknown.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
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):
This legislation, in its current form, allows teachers in West Virginia to request the installation of video or audio recording devices in classrooms, subject to approval by the school principal. Because the legislation is permissive in nature, a direct fiscal impact cannot be determined. Local costs may be incurred for the installation of recording equipment; however, the extent of those costs is currently unknown. For reference, a fiscal note for 2026 HB 4122 estimates that installing cameras in 13,573 classrooms in West Virginia public schools would cost approximately $30,336,178.
Memorandum
Potential confusion arises from the bill’s use of the term “self-contained classroom,” which appears inconsistent with the overall intent to permit cameras in all “classrooms.” The term “self-contained classroom” is generally associated with special education settings, which are already subject to separate recording requirements, and its use here may create ambiguity about where cameras are permitted. Ensuring consistent use of the term “classroom” throughout the bill may help reduce confusion and improve clarity.
Additionally, subsection (c)(3) states that recording may cease when students are not present, while subsection (d)(2) requires a written explanation for any interruption in recording. These provisions could be interpreted as conflicting. This inconsistency could be resolved by clarifying that the written explanation requirement applies only to interruptions other than those occurring when students are not in the classroom.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Tina Payne
Email Address: tina.a.payne@k12.wv.us