FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 12, 2016
Time Requested: 12:18 PM
Agency: Agriculture
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2738 Carry Over HB 2966
CBD Subject: Agriculture


FUND(S):

NEW

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

A New Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


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


HB2966 establishes the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Fund in order to supplement federal funding provided by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service for a seasonal voucher program for eligible seniors in West Virginia. The addition of state resources to this program will enable a participating seniors to receive additional produce vouchers and fresh produce than can be purchased by federal funding alone.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2017
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 635,000 635,000
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 635,000 635,000
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):


During the 2015 Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program season, WV utilized $468,000 in federal funding to generate 117,000 vouchers. The face value of each voucher was $4, with 19,500 seniors receiving voucher booklets with a total value of $24. If General Revenue funding were available to give a group of this size an additional $30 in vouchers, the cost would be $585,000. Additionally, $50,000 is requested to supplement USDA funding used to provide fresh produce to eligible recipients (with fresh produce selection determined by growing season and harvest times). In total, $635,000 is requested to cover the cost of additional vouchers and fresh produce. The existing General Revenue appropriation for Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program support and administration (0131-97000) would be sufficient to cover the printing, distribution, and processing costs incurred by the additional vouchers.



Memorandum


The state has approached USDA with a formal request to increase the amount of federal funding provided to WV. An answer is expected in mid-March, and if additional funding is awarded, a determination will be made whether the increase will be used to raise the value of vouchers, or keep the value as-is and distribute to a larger pool of seniors. Any impact to available state funding will be assessed at that time. The federally-funded vouchers have compliance and monitoring guidelines. It is recommended that these guidelines be adopted for state-funded vouchers as well, to make program administration and usage as consistent as possible.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Alan Clemans, on behalf of Sandra Gillispie, CFO
    Email Address: aclemans@wvda.us