FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: March 02, 2021
Time Requested: 02:50 PM
Agency: Health and Human Resources, WV Department of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2399 Introduced HB2818
CBD Subject:


FUND(S):

N/A

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Creates New Program, Creates New Fund:



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The purpose of this bill is to enact the “Solemn Covenant of the States to Award Prizes for Curing Diseases” Compact. This legislation permits each compacting state to select one voting member to serve on the Commission and determine the period of time a state representative will serve; requires annual membership dues to participate on the Commission; and requires the Commission to meet a least one time annually. Powers and responsibilities of the Commission include adopt rules and bylaws; review treatments and therapeutic protocols for the cure of diseases submitted to the Commission; award prizes for submissions that meet Commission standards for a successful cure treatment or therapeutic protocol; make successful cure treatments widely available for manufacture and distribution; establish cure selling prices that may include royalty fees to cover cost of prizes or other expenses deemed appropriate by the Commission; initiate legal proceedings or actions as necessary; establish offices and maintain staff; lease, purchase or accept appropriate gifts or donations; sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or dispose of any property; monitor and enforce compliance of compacting states; provide dispute resolution among compacting states and those that submit treatments and therapeutic protocols for cure of disease for consideration; establish budgets and make expenditures; borrow money; appoint committees; adopt and use a corporate seal; and perform other functions as necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the Compact. This legislation requires each compacting state to pay an annual membership fee for participating as an active voting member on the Commission and gives the Commission authority to determine how much annual fees would be based on the percentage of each compacting state's population in relation to the population of all of the compacting states. It is unknown how much West Virginia's annual membership fee would be. This legislation authorizes the Commission to award prizes for successful submissions of cure treatments or therapeutic protocols that meet Commission standards and requires that the award amount for a disease cure be equal to the most recently estimated five-year savings in public health expenses for the disease in all compacting states. It also provides multiple methods for paying out awards, including loans, donations, royalties, issuance of bonds, and other options deemed appropriate by the Commission. This legislation requires that in the event a state withdraws from the Compact, it would remain liable for all obligations, duties, and liabilities of the Commission incurred up through the date of withdrawal. Further, this legislation requires that should the Compact be dissolved, unawarded donated funds designated for paying awards would be returned to the donor and any surplus funds under the Commission's authority would be distributed in accordance with Commission bylaws after any outstanding prizes are awarded and all Commission debts and obligations are met. It is clear that there would be expenses associated with the passage of this bill, and it is likely that this legislation would improve public health and result in healthcare savings for the state after a period of time. However, based on the information provided in the bill and unknown factors that would or could result in expenses and revenue, the Department is unable to provide a reasonable fiscal impact statement should the responsibility for fulfilling the requirements for West Virginia fall under the Department.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2021
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2022
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):






Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Bill J. Crouch
    Email Address: Bill.J.Crouch@wv.gov