FISCAL NOTE
FUND(S):
3265 State Park Operating Fund
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Neither Program nor Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
There are approximately 24,000 veterans receiving benefits in West Virginia, according to the Adjudication Division of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Huntington. Of that total, only 4,200 individuals are considered to have 100% service-connected disabilities with the vast majority receiving compensation for post-traumatic stress syndrome; therefore, the Veterans Administration estimates that less than 2% (84 individuals) would be receiving benefits for a "permanent disability of the lower extremities."
Assuming an average rental fee of $18.00 per night, per site, and working on the assumption that each of the 84 individuals stayed an average of five (5) nights per month (June, July, and August only - since state law already provides a 50% reduction in camping fees for the remaining months), the maximum lost revenue would be $11,340.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2003
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2004
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
-11,340 |
-11,340 |
| 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 |
-11,340 |
-11,340 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
There are approximately 24,000 veterans receiving benefits in West Virginia, according to the Adjudication Division of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Huntington. Of that total, only 4,200 individuals are considered to have 100% service-connected disabilities with the vast majority receiving compensation for post-traumatic stress syndrome; therefore, the Veterans Administration estimates that less than 2% (84 individuals) would be receiving benefits for a "permanent disability of the lower extremities."
Assuming an average rental fee of $18.00 per night, per site, and working on the assumption that each of the 84 individuals stayed an average of five (5) nights per month (June, July, and August only - since state law already provides a 50% reduction in camping fees for the remaining months), the maximum lost revenue would be $11,340.
Memorandum
It should be noted that this bill has been introduced for the past several years. During previous discussions, there have been some legal issues raised as to whether or not this bill could pass constitutional scrutiny, in that it appears to single out a "class within a protected class" for special consideration. Therefore, it is recommended that this bill be carefully reviewed by legal counsel to determine whether or not the forgoing is, in fact, an accurate statement.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Keith Wilson
Email Address: kwilson@dnr.state.wv.us