FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 16, 2026
Time Requested: 03:07 PM |
| Agency: |
State Police, WV |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2126 |
Introduced |
HB4459 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Crime; Health |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
General Revenue 0453
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund
Legislation creates:
Creates New Expense
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.
If kratom is scheduled as a controlled substance, the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory will be required to perform analytical testing of kratom alkaloids (including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) in both seized drug evidence and toxicology specimens. While existing laboratory instrumentation (e.g., LC-MS/MS) can be utilized, new method development, validation, and ongoing testing costs will be incurred to meet accreditation and evidentiary standards. A reasonable implementation date would also be requested. The fiscal impact for this piece of legislation would involve a one-time implementation cost of $45,000, with an ongoing annual cost of $78,000.
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 |
123,000 |
78,000 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
35,000 |
35,000 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
88,000 |
43,000 |
| 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.
Key Assumptions
• Existing LC-MS/MS instrumentation is available and adaptable
• No new capital equipment purchases required
• Approximately 500 total kratom-related samples annually
o Combination of seized drug cases and toxicology specimens
• Laboratory operates under ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation
Estimated One-Time Costs (Implementation Year)
Cost Category Estimated Amount
Method development & validation (seized drugs + toxicology) $35,000
Training, competency, and proficiency testing setup $10,000
Total One-Time Cost $45,000
Estimated Recurring Annual Operating Costs (assuming 500 Samples)
Cost Component Estimated Annual Cost
Analyst labor (testing, review, reporting) $35,000
Consumables, reagents, and reference standards $18,000
Instrument usage & maintenance allocation $20,000
Quality assurance & proficiency testing $5,000
Total Annual Cost $78,000
Estimated Cost per Sample
• Average cost per kratom sample: $156 (after implementation)
• Costs vary based on sample type (plant material vs. biological specimen) and case complexity.
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: Connie E Gundy, Comptroller
Email Address: connie.e.gundy@wvsp.gov