FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 29, 2026
Time Requested: 06:03 PM |
| Agency: |
Agriculture, WV Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1925 |
Introduced |
HB4925 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Agriculture |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
FEDERAL MEAT INSPECTION FUND
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund FEDERAL
Legislation creates:
Decreases Existing Revenue, Decreases Existing Expenses
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The passage of HB4925 would lead to a loss of a recurring annual federal cooperative agreement between WVDA and USDA, Food Safety Inspection Service as the legislation proposed is in direct conflict with the Federal Meat Inspection Act [9 CFR 300.1(a)(2)]. Federal revenue of approximately $518,000 for the remainder of SFY 2026 and approximately $1,037,000 for each fiscal year thereafter would be lost. Cost to the state would be reduced as well with the loss of funding.
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 |
-518,500 |
-1,037,000 |
-1,037,000 |
| Personal Services |
-347,395 |
-694,790 |
-694,790 |
| Current Expenses |
-69,998 |
-139,995 |
-139,995 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
-101,107 |
-202,215 |
-202,215 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
-518,500 |
-1,037,000 |
-1,037,000 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
The WVDA would lose federal revenue for 21 FTE positions and 5 temporary positions associated with the WVDA Meat & Poultry Inspection Program and associated costs. These positions provide assistance with other WVDA activities including animal health surveillance, animal disease response and preparation, labeling review and technical assistance with other WVDA divisions as well as county health departments.
Memorandum
Passage of the bill would lead the USDA, Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to take over all meat and poultry inspection within the state of West Virginia to ensure that all federal requirements are met as the State program would no longer be considered equivalent. Unlike the current State-operated program, traditionally, FSIS provides little outreach and educational assistance to their licensed establishments. Over time, this would likely to lead to a reduction in the total number of commercial slaughter and processing establishments as well as a reduction in the total number of custom-exempt slaughter and processing establishments. Additionally, FSIS does not provide pre-licensing outreach and technical assistance to prospective establishment owners. This would immediately lead to fewer new establishments, both commercial and custom-exempt.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Laryssa Hoskins, CFO
Email Address: lhoskins@wvda.us