FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 14, 2023
Time Requested: 02:57 PM
Agency: Insurance Commission
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1698 Introduced HB2128
CBD Subject:


FUND(S):

7152, 7162, 7173

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Increases Existing Expenses



Fiscal Note Summary


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


House Bill 2128, if enacted, would create a rebuttable presumption of injury arising out of and in the course of employment for professional firefighters diagnosed with bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and testicular cancer. It is probable that the provisions of HB2128 would increase workers' compensation premium rates for employers who employ firefighters. It is important to note that governmental entities are the typical employer of professional firefighters, so they would bear the increased costs. As there is no effective date in HB 2128, it is also likely that the enactment of HB2128 could impact some State administered worker's compensation funds with increased costs due to retroactive application of HB2128. The Offices of the Insurance Commissioner is unable to quantify the extent of the potential costs increases. Please see memorandum section of this fiscal note for additional information.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2023
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2024
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):


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.



Memorandum


House Bill 2128, if enacted, would expand the diseases designated to create rebuttable presumptions of injury arising out of and in the course of employment for professional firefighters to include three additional diseases: bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and testicular cancer. The OIC is unable to quantify the potential increased costs to employers of firefighters or to the State administered worker's compensation funds due to lack of data regarding incidence of those diseases in that classification of workers. We also noted that HB2128 does not contain an effective date, so retroactive application of the provisions of HB2128 appears possible. The provisions of HB2128 do have an expiration date, which is unusual for benefits awarded under Chapter 23.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Melinda Kiss
    Email Address: Melinda.A.Kiss@wv.gov