FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 26, 2026
Time Requested: 02:23 PM |
| Agency: |
Environmental Protection, Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2081 |
Introduced |
HB4805 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Environment; Motor Vehicles |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
None
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund None
Legislation creates:
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
Currently the DEP lacks the authority to approve/disapprove environmental cleanup contractors. HB4805 would require DEP to develop a certification program to evaluate and approve remediation contractors. This would require the DEP to hire and equip an employee to monitor and maintain a list of remediation contractors. This would include conducting on-site inspections of contractor properties to determine their capabilities of waste handling and storage practices, and ensuring the contractor maintains the proper equipment for hazardous waste events.
This bill does not provide a source of revenue to offset the costs.
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 |
110,550 |
95,800 |
95,800 |
| Personal Services |
19,750 |
79,000 |
79,000 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
59,000 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
FY2026 - Hire an Environmental Resources Spcialist during the fourth quarter ($79,000/4)=$19750. This cost will cover salary and benefits. Current expenses would include office space, telecommunication, tools and small equiment (expense incurred in FY2026 only), fuel and vehicle maintenance. Equipment would include a vehicle and computer equipment.
Memorandum
Currently, DEP provides a list of contractors as a courtesy to the responsible party when accidents of this nature occur. However, the agency does not endorse or provide any assurance regarding the competence of those contractors. Some commercial companies that are involved in accidents already have clean up companies under contract to handle these incidents. To allow a first responder to contact a contractor on their own could cause a potential conflict in service and payment.
The current list of contractors is a compilation of requests from cleanup companies to be voluntarily added to the list.
Regarding 17C-4-18(b) of HB4805, DEP is already ensures that containment, cleanup, and reclamation takes place in a timely and satisfactory manner.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Gary Rogers
Email Address: Gary.W.Rogers@wv.gov