COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION



FISCAL NOTE



L.R. No.: 3169-01

Bill No.: SJR 25

Subject: Appropriations; Religion; Constitutional Amendments; Education, Higher; Education, Proprietary; Cities, Towns and Villages

Type: Original

Date: December 29, 2003




FISCAL SUMMARY



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FUND AFFECTED FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
General Revenue ($34,850) $0 $0
Total Estimated

Net Effect on

General Revenue

Fund

($34,850) $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

$0 $0 $0



Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.

This fiscal note contains 4 pages.











ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Local Government $0 $0 $0




FISCAL ANALYSIS



ASSUMPTION



Officials from the Department of Higher Education assume that the fiscal impact of this legislation is unknown. This proposed constitutional change could result in a significant but unquantifiable future cost if it results in the General Assembly deciding to provide state funding for the 25 private colleges and universities.



Oversight assumes that appropriations for state funding of private colleges and universities would be subject to the normal state budget and appropriation processes, and has not shown any direct cost resulting from the proposal in this fiscal note.



Officials from the office of the Secretary of State (SOS) stated that statewide newspaper publication of constitutional amendments cost approximately $1,161 per column inch per publication date based on an estimate provided by the Missouri Press Service. The SOS estimated this proposal would require 10 column inches includincluding title header and certification paragraph, for three required publications. (($1161 x 3=$3485) x 10=$34,850). Costs based on 2003 figures and subject to change.

ASSUMPTION (continued)



Officials from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) assume that the fiscal impact of this legislation is unknown but could be significant. The legislation could open the door for enabling legislation that would allow public money to go to religious schools. DESE's federal grants division is aware of 525 nonpublic schools that could potentially benefit from such legislation; this number only includes those nonpublic schools that report to the federal grants division. The overall impact could double the administrative functions of the Department; DESE assumes a significant adminstrative impact.



Oversight assumes that appropriations for state funding of private elementary and secondary schools would be subject to the normal state budget and appropriation processes, and has not shown any direct cost resulting from the proposal in this fiscal note.



Officials from the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Administration, Division of Budget and Planning, assume this proposal would have no impact on their organizations.



Officials from the City of Kansas City and the City of Springfield assume this proposal would have no impact on their organizations.



Officials from the Office of Administration, Office of Deputy Commissioner, assume election costs resulting from this proposal could be as much as $3,800,000 if a special election were held for that purpose.



Oversight assumes an election for this proposal would be held at the time of the general election in November 2004, and has assigned no election cost to the proposal.



FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2005

(10 Mo.)

FY 2006 FY 2007
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
Cost to Secretary of State

Newspaper advertisement



($34,850)


$0


$0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON GENERAL REVENUE FUND

($34,850)


$0


$0


FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2005

(10 Mo.)

FY 2006 FY 2007
$0 $0 $0



FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business



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



DESCRIPTION



This proposal would submit a constitutional amendment to the voters of the state which would remove that portion of the Missouri Constitution which prohibits distribution of state funds to religious organizations.



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



Department of Higher Education

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Office of Administration

Division of Budget and Planning

Office of Deputy Commissioner

Office of the Secretary of State

Office of the Attorney General

City of Kansas City

City of Springfield





Mickey Wilson, CPA

Director

December 29, 2003