FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 23, 2020
Time Requested: 11:14 AM
Agency: Auditor, State of WV
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2551 Introduced HB4483
CBD Subject: Education (Higher)


FUND(S):

State Funds

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Creates New Revenue, Creates New Expense



Fiscal Note Summary


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


The purpose of proposed House Bill 4483 is to create a full scholarship program for college and trade school students who have been placed in the state foster care system. The bill establishes a trust fund for moneys collected from opioid law suit settlement awards received by the state; authorizes the State Auditor to administer the Opioid Settlement Trust Fund in coordination with the Higher Education Policy Commission; to project costs to assure moneys available to fully fund the scholarships; repeals existing law for tuition waivers for foster children; provides necessary rulemaking authority; and establishes a special revenue account for administration by the Higher Education Policy Commission for the benefit of foster care children.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2020
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2021
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):


The State Auditor’s Office does not have access to any available records which would allow us to reasonably estimate the potential cash flows from potential future settlements related to opioids which could potentially be directed to the proposed Opioid Settlement Trust Fund. In addition, the State Auditor’s Office does not currently play and has not previously played an administrative role in relation to any Scholarship Programs under the auspices of the State of West Virginia.



Memorandum


We would recommend the submission of a Fiscal Note Request to the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office. Since litigation at the State level with regard to opioids has generally been a function of the Attorney General, we believe that Office would be far better equipped to provide the Legislature with the financial information needed to fashion a response to the Fiscal Note Request. In addition, we would recommend, if not already done so, a Fiscal Note Request be directed to the Higher Education Policy Commission.



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