FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 19, 2026
Time Requested: 04:21 PM |
| Agency: |
State Police, WV |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2238 |
Introduced |
SB499 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Motor Vehicles |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
General Revenue 0453
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund
Legislation creates:
Increases Existing Expenses
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.
Senate Bill 499 would require toxicology testing to be performed in connection with fatal motor vehicle crashes in West Virginia. The estimated fiscal impact of this piece of legislation is $100,000 per year.
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 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
| 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.
Assumptions Used:
Approximately 250 fatal crash cases per year (obtained from Governor’s Highway Safety Program) would meet the criteria for mandatory toxicology testing under SB 499.
The average cost per toxicology case is estimated at $400, inclusive of analyst labor, consumables, instrumentation usage, quality control, reporting, and administrative processing.
Costs assume use of existing laboratory instrumentation, infrastructure and manpower.
Fiscal Impact to the WV State Police Forensic Laboratory
Additional Annual Caseload:
250 toxicology cases
Estimated Cost per Case:
$400
Estimated Annual Cost Increase:
$100,000 per year
Cost Components Included:
Forensic toxicology analyst labor
Reagents, standards, and consumable supplies
Instrument usage, maintenance, and quality control
Evidence accessioning, chain of custody, reporting, and court-related documentation
Accreditation and quality assurance compliance activities
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