COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. No.:         4102-01

Bill No.:          Perfected HB 1678

Subject:           Children and Minors: Education, Elementary and Secondary; Elementary and Secondary Education Department; Interstate Cooperation; Military Affairs

Type:              Original

Date:               February 27, 2008

Bill Summary:           Enacts the "Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

FISCAL SUMMARY

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.

This fiscal note contains 6 pages.

☐ Estimated Total Net Effect on All funds expected to exceed $100,000 savings or (cost).

☒ Estimated Net Effect on General Revenue Fund expected to exceed $100,000 (cost).

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Officials from the Office of the Governor state there should be no added cost to the Governor's Office as a result of this proposed legislation.

Officials from the Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri Veteran's Commission, and the Missouri National Guard state there is no fiscal impact to their respective agencies.

Officials from the Department of Social Services (DOS) state that since the compact deals with children transferring from one state to another as a result of their parent's military services, these are children who would not normally be in the custody of the Children's Division or the Division of Youth Services. Therefore, there is no fiscal impact to DOS.

Officials from the Office of Attorney General (AGO) state that this proposal creates a new commission, for which it would provide legal counsel. AGO assumes it would need ½ Assistant Attorney General I to assist the commission in the rule-making process and legal representation.

Officials from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) state the proposal calls for two positions, the military family educational liaison and the compact commissioner.

There are costs associated with the state council; the cost of membership for the interstate compact is unknown. DESE does not expect the council costs to exceed $100,000.

Oversight assumes the compact will not activate until ten or more states have adopted the language contained in this proposal. As of February 8, 2008 the proposal had been introduced in fifteen states and had passed one chamber in two states. For fiscal note purposes only, Oversight assumes the additional personal costs for DESE and AGO will not be incurred until the compact is activated. Personal costs will be shown as $0 or the amount needed for personnel upon activation of the compact.

Officials from the Knob Noster V-III School District state they expect any fiscal impact to be minimal.

ASSUMPTION (continued)

This proposed legislation was sent to school districts near military bases. The Knob Noster School District was the only district to respond.

FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business

No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

FISCAL DESCRIPTION

This proposed legislation authorizes Missouri to enter into the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and establishes the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The compact becomes effective upon its adoption by 10 states. Military children include the kindergarten through twelfth-grade children of active duty members of the armed services including the National Guard and the reserve, as well as the children of members who die while on active duty, retire, or are medically discharged, for a period of one year afterward. The compact covers issues including facilitation of enrollment, both in classes and extracurricular activities; placement; graduation; and information-sharing. The commission is made up of one voting member from each participating state. The duties of the commission include dispute resolution between member states, enforcing the rules of the commission, and providing training and other administrative functions. The proposal contains provisions for the formation of the commission's executive committee and other aspects such as its budget, liability, and legal status.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Office of the Attorney General

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Department of Social Services

Department of Health and Senior Services

Office of the Governor

Missouri National Guard

Missouri Veteran's Commission

Knob Noster R-VIII School District

NOT RESPONDING

School Districts

            Waynesville R-VI

            Warrensburg R-VI

            Jefferson City

            Dixon R-I

                                                                                                Mickey Wilson, CPA

                                                                                                Director

                                                                                                February 27, 2008