FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 19, 2026
Time Requested: 04:22 PM |
| Agency: |
Administration, WV Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2300 |
Introduced |
SB503 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Finance and Administration |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
Private Funding
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund Private Funding
Legislation creates:
Creates New Expense
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
SB503 proposes to mandate the display of the National Motto in both "State Office Buildings" (e.g. public lobbies) and "Agency Offices" (e.g. individual agency-occupied spaces). It is of note that the introduced legislation contains this caveat: "§5-10-6. Funding restrictions. (a) No state funds may be expended." As written, there would be no direct impact of increased costs to the budgets of State agencies. This fiscal note, however, is provided only to estimate the costs for implementing the displays, as characterized in the language of the Bill, from private funding sources.
As prepared by one Agency serving only a small portion of the potentially facilities that the Bill would affect, conclusions and extrapolations used in determining Statewide impact (below) are conjectural in nature.
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):
First, as the Agency responsible for maintenance of 40 public buildings under the authority of the Department of Administration, the General Services Division would estimate the costs of providing appropriate signage in the those facilities which had "conspicuous" public lobbies, which amount to approximately 30 of the covered 40 facilities. It is anticipated that public lobbies of "State office buildings" would merit signage of in a fashion matching the decor of such buildings, and thus be somewhat more expensive (to the private donors) than what would be required for the Agency's office(s). A sign meeting the minimum characteristics prescribed in the introduced legislation (e.g. 8.5" x 11" and "durable") would likely cost $100.00, to prove, procure and install. Thus, we estimate complying with this aspect of the Bill would cost approximately $3000.00 (30 qualifying locations multiplied by $100.00 per location).
Second, as an Agency with qualifying "Agency office" spaces, in order to comply, the Agency would require less expensive signage be provided (by private donors) in its main office, plus potential ancillary offices in other locations. For the purposes of this Note, we assume 5 total locations, at approximately $50.00 per location, or an additional $250.00.
Pursuant to WV law, spending units are required to report their buildings and leases in wvOasis. For 2024, 170 spending units currently report that they own or lease space in 5,260 buildings, of which 4,554 are state owned, and 706 are leased. Extrapolating the costs (i.e $100.00 per sign per lobby), and assuming 75% of these reported "State Office Buildings" also have conspicuous public lobbies, approximately 4000 owned or leased spaces might require such signage. In some instances, both the "State office building" and "Agency office" requirement could be met with single signage (e.g. 50% of the instances). For the purposes of this Note, assume 2000 instances, ranging from $50.00 to $100.00 per instance, or $100,000.00 to $200,000.00.
Memorandum
As introduced, with the caveat prohibiting the use of State funds for support of the mandate, the Bill would have no fiscal impact.
It is also of note that SB503 suggests adding §5-10-1 (etc) to the Code. §5-10 exists already as Code governing the Consolidated Public Retirement Board. This Agency believes the more appropriate Code reference for consideration is §5-6-17, Code which already permits the display (i.e. does not mandate it).
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Robert P Kilpatrick
Email Address: robert.p.kilpatrick@wv.gov