FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 09, 2019
Time Requested: 04:13 PM
Agency: Tax & Revenue Department, WV State
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1653 Introduced HB2094
CBD Subject: Motor Vehicles, Real Property


FUND(S):

General Revenue Fund, local governments

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund local property tax revenue

Legislation creates:

Decreases Existing Revenue



Fiscal Note Summary


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


The stated purpose of this bill is to exempt motor vehicles from personal property tax. Under the provisions of this bill, motor vehicles would not be subject to Property Tax. The estimated revenue loss would be roughly $37.1 million to the State General Revenue Fund, $45.0 million to local county school boards, $34.0 million to county commissions and $8.9 million to municipalities. The distribution of estimated cost is based on information from taxes levied as reported in the Classified Assessed Valuations Taxes Levied for 2018 Tax Year publication of the State Tax Department and the incorporation of the calculation of local property tax share within the State Aid to Schools Formula. Additional costs to counties would be minimal. There would be a savings in costs to the State Tax Department.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2019
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2020
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 -125,000,000


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


Under the provisions of this bill, motor vehicles would not be subject to Property Tax. The estimated revenue loss would be roughly $37.1 million to the State General Revenue Fund, $45.0 million to local county school boards, $34.0 million to county commissions and $8.9 million to municipalities. The distribution of estimated cost is based on information from taxes levied as reported in the Classified Assessed Valuations Taxes Levied for 2018 Tax Year publication of the State Tax Department and the incorporation of the calculation of local property tax share within the State Aid to Schools Formula. Additional costs to counties would be minimal. There would be a savings in costs to the State Tax Department.



Memorandum


The stated purpose of this bill is to exempt motor vehicles from personal property tax. A primary concern is whether the Legislature has the authority under West Virginia Constitution Article X, Section 1, to exempt this type of property from ad valorem taxation. Other than specified exemptions provided for in the Constitution or in adopted amendments to the Constitution (e.g., Class I intangibles, freeport inventories, farm personal property), only property used for certain activities (i.e., educational, literary, scientific, religious or charitable purposes) may be exempted.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Mark Muchow
    Email Address: kerri.r.petry@wv.gov