FISCAL NOTE
FUND(S):
0453
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund
Legislation creates:
Neither Program nor Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
It is practically impossible to accurately determine the fiscal impact on costs and revenue. We do not keep specific data on employer specific background checks.
According to the State Fire Marshall, in 2008, there were 11,547 volunteer firemen in our state, all of whom could be subject to a free background check each year. Considering that we currently conduct approximately 55,000 checks each year with a staff of no more than 20, the cost to assume this responsibilty could be enormous.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2009
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2010
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
154,231 |
154,231 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
99,544 |
99,544 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
54,687 |
54,687 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
In order to meet the potential increase for this service, it would require a minimum of four employees, consisting of two office assistants and two fingerprint technicians.
Memorandum
The bill does not specify that free checks must be conducted for the official use of the volunteer fire departments.
A criminal record check ($10) obtained through the central abuse record check process would provide a more complete record check.
A more practical approach would be to provide record checks at a reduced cost rather than without charge.
This background check satisfies only state and not federal background check requirements.
The proposed legislation places no limits on how many background checks per year an individual could request.
It should also be noted that the revenue derived from these criminal record checks is used to offset the unfunded liability associated with the trooper's Plan A (Death, Disability and Retirement Fund) retirement system.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Ron Twohig, Comptroller
Email Address: rtwohig@wvsp.state.wv.us