FISCAL NOTE
FUND(S):
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
A New Program,A New Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The State Fire Marshal cannot issue a concise and accurate fiscal note for this bill for several reasons. As introduced, the bill simply allows eligible volunteer and part volunteer fire departments the authority to spend monies from the fire protection fund. There appears to be absent any qualifiers, limits or rules on how a department could determine eligibility for retirement. Moreover, with state monies being currently allocated to over 440 eligible fire departments on an annual basis ($40,000 average), this office cannot determine which ones would participate and to what extent they would participate in the proposed legislation. Left to "govern" themselves with public monies without adequate safeguards in regards to maintaining existing fire protection levels, the State Fire Marshal is concerned.
Currently, the State of West Virginia allocates on a quartely basis, monies collected from the fire protection fund to each eligible volunteer and part volunteer fire department. This dollar amount has recently exceeded $40,000 on average for a calendar year. Most of these department rely on the state money for most, if not all, for maintaining existing fire protection levels. For example, a single annual payment on a single fire apparatus approaches if not exceeds the $40,000 barrier. This does not include day to day operating expenses or replacement monies for wear and tear items such as personal protective equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus or hose-line. Obviously, without additional state monies to adequately fund the intent of the proposed legislation, many fire departments would be faced with making the decision to either fund fire protection to the citizens or their own retirement plans as they deem necessary.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2008
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2009
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
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Nancy Olson for Sterling Lewis, State Fire Marshal
Email Address: Nancy.l.Olson@wv.gov