FISCAL NOTE
FUND(S):
0226
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.
The bill proposes an increase in the hourly in-court rate paid to attorneys representing clients in child abuse and neglect cases under Chapter 49, Article Six of the West Virginia Code.
The bill will create additional costs to WVPDS. Currently, WVPDS spends approximately $1,718,925 on in-court billings for attorneys in such cases at a rate of $65/hour (rate based on FY 2011 figures).
With an increase in the hourly rate to $95/hour, and assuming the same number of hours as FY 2011, WVPDS would pay approximately $2,512,275, representing an increase in spending of approximately $800,000.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2012
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2013
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
800,000 |
800,000 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
800,000 |
800,000 |
| 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):
In FY 2011 WVPDS paid court appointed attorneys for approximately 26,445 hours of in-court work in child abuse/neglect cases. At a rate of $65/hour, this represented payments of approximately $1,718,925.
Assuming the same number of hours as FY 2011, an increase in the hourly rate to $95/hour would result in payments of approximately $2,512,275, an increase of slightly less than $800,000.
Memorandum
While this bill represents increased costs, WVPDS supports any and all efforts to increase the hourly rates for appointed attorneys. The current hourly rates were established twenty-two (22) years ago and have not been increased since that time.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Russell S. Cook
Email Address: Russell.S.Cook@wv.gov