FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 02, 2026
Time Requested: 01:37 PM
Agency: Veterans Assistance, WV Department of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
3070 Introduced HB5017
CBD Subject: Appropriations


FUND(S):

General Revenue

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Creates New Expense, Increases Existing Expenses, Creates New Program



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. As written, this Bill will increase costs of state government as the purpose is to provide grants to every active American Legion post in West Virginia, totaling $10,000,000. There are more than 100 active American Legion posts in West Virginia, this bill would provide a $98k to each post. Should this bill pass, the Department will need to hire one additional FTE to coordinate the new program from start to finish. Additionally, to administer the new program, the Department's administrative costs will increase.



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 10,075,000 10,075,000
Personal Services 0 71,815 71,875
Current Expenses 0 10,013,185 10,013,185
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. The above estimates include : $10,000,000 grant funding to 102 American Legion Posts $ 71,815 Salary & Benefits for Grants Coordinator $ 13,185 for admin costs (WVOT, Oasis, etc.) This act would require a significant investment of resources in administering more than 100 grants. The increase in personal services is for salary and benefits for one FTE - Grants Coordinator - to administer the program. The increase in current expenses reflects the total $10M in grant funding as well as additional administrative costs.



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. As written, the Bill will not require the grantees complete an application. Per State Code 12-4-14 WV Grant Transparency and Accountability Act states a "State grant" means providing funding by a state spending unit to a grantee upon application for a specific purpose. The Department has a responsibility to ensure the granting of state funds to grantees is transparent, grant funds are spent appropriately, and programs serve the best interest of the State and Department. The Department will need to implement a mechanism for each grantee to request the funding. This request must state the intended use of the funds. It is our responsibility to determine if the intended use of funds is reasonable. Additionally, each grantee must be a registered vendor with wvOasis, and in compliance with various State agencies (Tax, Workers Comp, Secretary of State, etc.). And, prior to execution of a grant agreement, the grantee must sign and notarize a Sworn Statement of Compliance, which is filed with the Auditor's Office. As written, the Bill only allows 60 days to issue the funds directly to each active American Legion posts within the state. That number is more than 100 posts. 60 days is not a reasonable time frame to distribute $10M in grant awards to more than 100 individual grantees.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Heather L Brunton
    Email Address: heather.l.brunton@wv.gov