FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 24, 2015
Time Requested: 01:19 PM
Agency: Agriculture
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1295 Introduced HB2966
CBD Subject: Agriculture


FUND(S):

NEW

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

A New Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


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


HB2966 establishes the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Fund in order to supplement federal funding provided by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service for a season voucher program for eligible seniors in West Virginia. The addition of state resources to this program will enable a higher number of seniors to receive produce vouchers and fresh produce than can be served by federal funding alone.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2015
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 438,812 438,812
Personal Services 0 22,200 22,200
Current Expenses 0 11,612 11,612
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 405,000 405,000
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


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


Currently, WV receives $475,000 for vouchers through the USDA Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. Assuming this allocation stays constant, an additional $305,000 would be needed to bring the total number of seniors served by the program to 26,000. In addition to vouchers, it is also suggested that $100,000 be utilized to purchase additional foods to be delivered to Title IIIC recipients. Excess federal funds are utilized to purchase apples, and the $100,000 state funds could be used to add white or sweet potatoes depending on growing seasons and harvest times. In total, $405,000 would be needed to cover the cost of vouchers and food products. In order to administer a higher volume of vouchers, a temporary staff member would be needed for the period of May through November for administrative support for voucher distribution, outreach, monitoring and program reporting. The estimated cost for this position is $22,200. Current expenses include $1,000 for travel for the administrative personnel noted above, as well as $10,612 for printing and banking expenses required to create and process vouchers as they are redeemed.



Memorandum


The bill asks agency personnel to consider bringing the total allocation per senior to $50 per recipient. The estimates above were based upon a voucher value of $30 per participant. Due to transportation issues and usually the weather (drought or too much rain) during the fairly short growing season, WV seniors struggle in some areas to spend the currently designated allocation. Therefore, the proposed approach is to reach a larger population rather than providing a smaller population a higher value which may not be spent. The federally-funded vouchers have compliance and monitoring guidelines. It is recommended that these guidelines be adopted for state-funded vouchers as well, to make program administration and usage as consistent as possible.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Alan Clemans, on behalf of Sandra Gillispie, CFO
    Email Address: aclemans@wvda.us