FISCAL NOTE
FUND(S):
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.
§4-2A-2a would increase the compensation paid to members of the West Virginia Senate from $15,000 per year to $20,000 per year.
Currently, the total salary for legislative members is $510,000 ($15,000 x 34 members). The bill proposes to increase the total annual salary for Senate members to $680,000 ($20,000 x 34 members), an increase of $170,000.
§4-2A-4 (a) The daily salary for the President and Speaker will increase from $50 to $150 for each day served during a regular, extended session, or extraordinary session. For one full regular session, the total daily salary for the President and Speaker combined would be $18,000. This is an increase of $12,000 ($100 increase x 60 days x 2 members). The increase for extended and extraordinary sessions can not be determined, since it is not known how many there would be each year.
With this bill, the maximum number of days that the President and Speaker can claim for attending to legislative business would be removed, but the increased impact can not be predicted, since it is not known how many additional days over the current maximum of 80 would be taken.
§4-2A-4 (b) The daily salary for the majority and minority leaders for each house would increase from $25 to $50 per day while in session. For the 60 day session, the total salary would be $12,000 ($50 x 60 day session X 4 members). This is an increase of $6,000.
§4-2A-4 (d) An additional 2 members from each house will receive additional compensation $150 per day for attending to legislative business. Assuming that the 2 members receive compensation for the maximum 30 days, there would be an increase of $18,000 ($150 x 30 days x 4 members).
§4-2A-6a subsection (a) allows Senate members to claim travel expenses for attending party caucuses held in advance of a legislative session. This calculation would vary based on how many members claim travel expenses, the mileage rate reimbursement, and the number of miles claimed for each member. Based on December 2007 figures, Senate members claimed $3,227.14 in mileage for the December interim meeting. Therefore the passage of this bill could increase mileage expenses by that amount or similar if the caucus were to take place exclusive of any other meetings where travel would be considered.
§4-2A-7a subsection (a) which would increase the per diem rate for Senate non-commuters from $115 to $131 per day. An increase of $16 per day. For the month of December 2007, 24 Senate members claimed non-commuter per diem. Based on that month, assuming that a similar number of Senate members claimed non-commuter per diem, the per diem cost for session would increase by $23,040.(60 days x $16 increase x 24 members). The increase for interim meetings would be $10,368 (27 interim days x $16 increase x 24 members). Extraordinary sessions were not estimated. Estimations only calculated interim dates held in Charleston. The number of commuters could change for interim meetings held in alternate cities.
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 |
170,000 |
242,635 |
242,635 |
| Personal Services |
170,000 |
242,635 |
242,635 |
| 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):
Estimation assumes that increase in per diem and travel expense reimbursements would not go into effect until FY 2009.
Fiscal Year 2008
$170,000 - $5,000 annual increase in Senate members salary ($5,000 x 34)
Fiscal Year 2009
$170,000 - $5,000 annual increase in Senate members salary ($5,000 x 34)
$12,000 - President and Speakers daily salary ($100 x 60 x 2)
$6,000 - Majority and minority leaders daily salary ($25 x 60 X 4)
$18,000 - 4 additional members compensation for 30 days ($150 x 30 x 4).
$3,227.14 - Estimate for Senate members to attend party caucuses. This amount would be for odd numbered years.
$23,040 - $16 increase in Senate non-commuter per diem for session. Estimate of 24 members ($16 x 60 x 24)
$10,368 - $16 increase in Senate non-commuter per diem for interim meetings. Estimate of 24 members ($16 x 27 days x 24 members)
Memorandum
This fiscal note does not take into account §4-2A-6a subsection (b)which allows the Senate President and Speaker of the House to submit for expenses incurred incident to travel which is related to their duties as respective officers. It can not be estimated the number of times nor amount at which travel expenses would be claimed.
The fiscal note does not take into account §4-2A-7a subsection (b) which allows the Senate President and Speaker of the House, the 2 Finance chairs, the 2 Judiciary Committee chairs, and up to 6 additional members from each house to receive mileage and per diem for Capitol business at times other than sessions or interim meetings. It can not be estimated how many expense claims would be submitted nor the amount.
The estimation for the increase in the non-commuter per diem for Senate members only takes into account the 3 days of interim meetings. The estimation does not take into account members who may drive in a day earlier or stay a day later.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Denny Rhodes
Email Address: perd@mail.wvnet.edu