FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 09, 2019
Time Requested: 04:29 PM
Agency: Auditor, State of WV
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1400 Introduced HB2105
CBD Subject: Law Enforcement -- State Police, Salaries


FUND(S):

STATE FUNDS - GENERAL REVENUE

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Increases Existing Expenses



Fiscal Note Summary


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


The purpose of proposed House 2105 is to increase the minimum number of State Troopers authorized to provide basic law-enforcement services to a total of 800 by July 1, 2020. In addition, the proposed Bill provides that the salary increase for state troopers at the end of two years of service be increased from $500 to $580.



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 6,875,419 7,872,116
Personal Services 0 6,875,419 7,872,116
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):


Our estimate of the cost of implementation of the proposed legislation makes the assumption that the State Police would be unable to move forward with the Bill’s requirements until Fiscal Year 2020. We further assume the Superintendent of the State Police would be able to implement and complete Cadet Training Classes which would allow an increase in trooper strength from the current number of approximately 680 to the specified number of 800 by the required date of July 1, 2020. However, the training period for a Cadet Training Class approximates 25 weeks and, according to the State Police, the more recent history of such Cadet Training Classes indicates the maximum numbers of Cadets has not exceeded 70. Accordingly, our cost estimates assume that full implementation of the legislation, if enacted, would occur in Fiscal Year 2021 and later. Finally, we assume that the State Police would be able to implement the $80 per year increase in longevity pay during Fiscal Year 2020.



Memorandum


We believe the adoption of the legislation would also result in funding requirements necessary for equipment, clothing and uniforms, as well as, weapons. However, we have not included any such amounts within this Fiscal Note Submission because we do not have experience with or access to the necessary information to formulate a reliable approximation of those costs. We would recommend consultation with the West Virginia State Police to ascertain reasonable estimates of any such additional costs of implementation.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Michael E. Sizemore, CPA
    Email Address: Mike.Sizemore@wvsao.gov