FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 28, 2024
Time Requested: 01:56 PM
Agency: Insurance Commission
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2817 Introduced SB170
CBD Subject: Workers Compensation


FUND(S):

7152, 7162 ,7173

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Increases Existing Expenses



Fiscal Note Summary


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


Senate Bill 170, if enacted, would create a rebuttable presumption of injury arising out of and in the course of employment for professional firefighters diagnosed with bladder cancer, testicular cancer or mesothelioma. It is possible that the provisions of Senate Bill 170 would increase worker's compensation insurance premiums for employers who employ professional firefighters. The employers of professional firefighters are generally local government municipalities. It is also possible that certain State administered funds could see increased costs with the enactment of SB170. The State Agency Workers Compensation program (SAWC) does cover the Division of Forestry and the foresters employed by the Military Authority/Adjutant General. However, this risk is minimal to the exposure of the program and any effects would be nominal. However, the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner is unable to quantify the extent of the potential cost increases to employers of that classification of workers at this time. Please see the memorandum section of this note for additional information.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2025
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):


Please explain increases and decreases in personal services, current expenses, repairs and alterations, assets, other costs and revenues, including assumptions and data sources and delineation between start-up and ongoing costs. Please also include a long-range schedule of costs and revenues if fiscal impact is expected to vary in future years.



Memorandum


Senate Bill 170, if enacted, would expand the diseases designated to create a rebuttable presumption of injury arising out of and in the course of employment for professional firefighters to include these additional diseases: testicular cancer, bladder cancer, and mesothelioma. The OIC is unable to estimate the possible increased costs to employers of professional firefighters due to lack of data regarding the incidence of those types of diseases in that classification of workers. However, we can request data from the private insurance carriers and provide any information at a later time to a committee. Additionally, it should be noted that the provisions of SB 170 would expire the rebuttable presumption for the above listed diseases, as well as the existing diseases deemed to have the presumption on July 1, 2027, unless extended by the Legislature.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Rhonda C Hartwell
    Email Address: rhonda.c.hartwell@wv.gov