FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):



Sources of Revenue:

Other Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


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


This bill would amend the statute creating the WV Center for Nursing to direct funds from the Center to loan forgiveness funds; continue the Center until 2013; and require the Center to collect information on workers’ compensation related injuries. S.B. 259 does not alter the revenue for the Center for Nursing. The existing statute provides for funding of the Center by a supplemental annual licensure fee of $10 to be collected by the RN and LPN licensing boards. The estimated annual revenue from these licensure fees is $286,360 – $216,360 from the RN board and $70,000 from the LPN board. The existing statute requires that beginning on January 1, 2006, and continuing for at least two years, at least one-third of the licensure fee revenue, approximately $95,360, be used for “loan and scholarship programs.” S.B. 259 adds “loan forgiveness” to these programs, but it does not create additional expenditures. This bill is budget neutral for the Higher Education Policy Commission. According to the existing statute, the Commission would be responsible for providing suitable office space for the WV Center for Nursing. This would require modification of the existing lease agreement to include space for two to three individuals, including the executive director and support staff. The cost would be paid by licensure fees in the Center for Nursing Fund.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2005
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2006
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):






Memorandum


*Although the WV Center for Nursing bill was passed in the 2004 legislative session, the governing board for the Center has not been appointed. When the appointments are made by the Governor, a special revenue account known as the “Center for Nursing Fund” can be established in the State Treasury. The board will act as Trustee for the Center for Nursing, which will be set up as a separate state-level organization.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Patricia W. Hunt
    Email Address: PHunt@hepc.wvnet.edu