FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

Special Account -- Greyhound Breeding Development 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.


This bill will affect two accounts administered by the Racing Commission: the Commission's general administration account (Fund 7305) as well as the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund account (Fund 7307). With the addition of two commissioners to the current three member Racing Commission, the additional cost includes $24,000 annually for two commissioners plus the possibility of travel to monthly commission meetings for one or both of those two new members, depending upon their location. The bill also requires additional expenditures from the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund account of $60,000 for spaying, neutering and adoption, with only a modest increase in revenue. Finally, and more catastrophically, the bill requires that any unexpended funds in the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund account that the Racing Commission uses for administration of that fund should revert back on a pro rata basis to owners and breeders of West Virginia whelped greyhounds who have earned supplemental purses in any fiscal year.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2013
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2014
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 2,941,990 541,200
Personal Services 0 24,000 24,000
Current Expenses 0 7,200 7,200
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 2,910,790 510,000
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 30,000 30,000


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


The estimates above assume that the bill will not take effect before July 1, 2013. Personal Services: Racing Commissioners receive a stipend of $12,000 a year. Two new commissioners require an additional $24,000 annual expenditure. Current Expenses: Racing Commissioners who travel from out of town for monthly meetings receive mileage reimbursement plus lodging and meals if they must overnight in Charleston. Until Commissioners are appointed, this cost cannot be finalized. However, based upon an average for travel from Wheeling and Charles Town, multiplied by two, we estimate $600/month for travel expenses. Other: This line includes an added annual cost of $60,000 for spaying, neutering and adoption programs since the bill requires a minimum annual expenditure. In addition, the amount includes funds that would be transferred at the end of each fiscal year to teh owners and breeders of West Virginia whelped greyhounds who have earned a supplemental purse in any fiscal year. Revenues: The bill calls for a percentage of the signal transmission fee and simulcast income to be paid into the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund administration account. The estimates were based upon current racing activity at the affected facilities.



Memorandum


Some of the funds represented in this fiscal note and impacted by the language of the bill are currently teh subject of ongoing litigation.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Joe Moore
    Email Address: joemoore@wvnet.edu