Date Requested:February 10, 2005
Time Requested:01:06 PM
Agency: State Tax Department
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2005R169 Intro HB2158
CBD Subject: Vounteer Fireman Exempt on One Vehicle
General Revenue Fund, local governments
Sources of Revenue
General Fund,Other Fund Local property tax
Legislation creates:
A New Program

Fiscal Note Summary


    The stated purpose of this bill is to exempt one motor vehicle owned by a volunteer firefighter from personal property taxation.
    Passage of this bill would result in a minimal reduction in State revenue and a decline of $860,000 in revenue to local government.
    The Tax Department will incur a one-time programming cost of $20,000. County assessors would incur an unknown amount of additional administrative costs as a result of passage of this bill.

Fiscal Note Detail
Over-all effect
Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 20,000 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 20,000 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 -860,000 -860,000
    The loss of revenue is based on the average vehicle assessment multiplied by the number of volunteer firefighters obtained from the Fire Marshall’s office. There would be a minimal decline in State revenue and a loss of $860,000 in local government revenue.
    The Tax Department would incur one-time programming costs of $20,000. Additional administrative costs to local governments for record keeping, etc., cannot be determined.

Person submitting Fiscal Note:
Mark Muchow
Email Address:
    The bill amends the statute relating to the registration of motor vehicles in the State as opposed to West Virginia Code §11-3-9, the section where most property tax exemptions are listed. This could create confusion administering the exemption.
    The bill authorizes the exemption “upon presentation of sufficient proof by an individual that he or she is a volunteer firefighter in this state”. The bill does not state what qualifies as “sufficient proof” or to whom the sufficient proof is to be presented. There is also no requirement that a person remain a volunteer firefighter in order to retain the exemption.