FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 12, 2022
Time Requested: 04:53 PM |
| Agency: |
Health and Human Resources, WV Department of |
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| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1366 |
Introduced |
SB154 |
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| CBD Subject: |
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FUND(S):
0407 - CENTRAL OFFICE GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE FUND
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund General & Special
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 create the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Loan Forgiveness Program. The bill permits emergency service personnel to have certain portions of their educational loans to be forgiven; grants the Emergency Medical Service Advisory Council the authority to approve loan forgiveness awards; establishes application criteria; establishes the amounts of awards; establishes requirements for the certification of personnel status; defines terms; and creates a special revenue account known as the “Emergency Medical Services Personnel Loan Forgiveness Program Fund".
Bill permits emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to have certain portions of their educational loans forgiven; grants the Emergency Medical Service Advisory Council (EMSAC) the authority to approve loan forgiveness awards and allows Council members to receive compensation; establishes application criteria and amounts of awards; establishes requirements for the certification of personnel status; creates a special revenue fund known as the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Loan Forgiveness Fund; and places administration of the program under the director of the Bureau for Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS).
The Department estimates a fiscal impact of $8,539,700 for FY2023 and $4,935,500 upon full implementation of the program.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2022
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2023
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
8,539,700 |
4,935,500 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
132,853 |
132,853 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
8,406,847 |
4,802,647 |
| 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):
Estimated Personal Services cost for FY2023 and ongoing is $132,853 and includes salaries and employee benefits for a Health and Human Resources Program Manager 1 ($54,247) to manage the program; Administrative Services Assistant 2 ($41,582) to provide program support; and compensation for EMSAC members (18 members x 2 meetings x $150 per meeting = $5,400) meeting virtually twice per year specifically to review and approve loan forgiveness applications. Employee benefits are estimated at $31,624 ($95,829 x 33%).
Estimated Current Expense cost for FY2023 is $8,539,700 and includes landline telephone service at $1,200 ($50 per month x 12 months x 2.00 FTEs); cell/smart phone services at $720 ($60 per month x 12 months x 1.00 FTE); office supplies at $200 ($100 per FTE x 2.00 FTEs); in-state travel for Program Manager attending speaking engagements at higher learning institutions across the state at $527 (150 miles per trip x $0.585 per mile x 6 speaking engagements); application forms printing cost at $1,500; computer equipment and monitors at $2,400 (1,200 x 2.00 FTEs); cell/smart phone at $300 for Program Manager; and loan forgiveness costs at $8,400,000 (300 applicants x Year 1 forgiveness cost of $4,000 = $1,200,000 + 300 applicants x Years 2-3 forgiveness cost of $8,000 = $2,400,000 + 300 applicants x Years 1-3 forgiveness cost of $16,000 = $4,800,000).
Estimated Current Expense cost upon full implementation of the program and beginning in FY2024 is $4,935,500 and includes landline telephone service at $1,200 ($50 per month x 12 months x 2.00 FTEs); cell/smart phone services at $720 ($60 per month x 12 months x 1.00 FTE); office supplies at $200 ($100 per FTE x 2.00 FTEs); in-state travel for Program Manager attending speaking engagements at higher learning institutions across the state at $527 (150 miles per trip x $0.585 per mile x 6 speaking engagements); and loan forgiveness costs at $4,800,000 (300 applicants x Year 1 forgiveness cost of $4,000 = $1,200,000 + 300 applicants x Year 2 forgiveness cost of $4,000 = $1,200,000 + 300 applicants x Year 3 forgiveness cost of $8,000 = $2,400,000).
Memorandum
This legislation would not cover course costs for an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) as those courses do not qualify for federally insured student loans.
In the Definitions section of SB154 16-4c-3 (p) and (q), there is language referencing §16-4C-24 related to the Program and qualified applicants. The Emergency Medical Services Loan Forgiveness Program section is §16-4C-25.
Legislation establishes a special revenue account but does not specify from where revenues will come. Any General revenue needs for the program would need language indicating to transfer appropriated funds to the newly established fund.
The Department's Office of Emergency Medical Services estimated that 300 WV residents receive paramedic certifications through Applied Science degrees each year from information gathered from six state community colleges* and dividing $16,000 over three years to estimate costs.
*Blue Ridge Community College, Bridge Valley Community College, Mountwest Community College, New River Community College, Pierpont Community College, South West Virginia Community College
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Bill J. Crouch
Email Address: dhhrbudgetoffice@wv.gov