Page 1 of 2 LRC 2023-BR299-HB157
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY FISCAL NOTE STATEMENT
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION
2023 REGULAR SESSION
MEASURE
2023 BR NUMBER 299 HOUSE BILL NUMBER 157
TITLE AN ACT relating to urban search and rescue and making an appropriation therefor.
SPONSOR Representative Mark Hart
FISCAL SUMMARY
STATE FISCAL IMPACT: YES NO UNCERTAIN
OTHER FISCAL STATEMENT (S) THAT MAY APPLY: ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS
LOCAL MANDATE CORRECTIONS IMPACT HEALTH BENEFIT MANDATE
APPROPRIATION UNIT(S) IMPACTED: Kentucky Department of Military Affairs Division of
Emergency Management
FUND(S) IMPACTED: GENERAL ROAD FEDERAL RESTRICTED Kentucky Urban
Search and Rescue Program fund
FISCAL ESTIMATES 2022-2023 2023-2024 ANNUAL IMPACT AT
FULL IMPLEMENTATION
REVENUES
EXPENDITURES Indeterminable
NET EFFECT (Indeterminable)
( ) indicates a decrease/negative
PURPOSE OF MEASURE: The purpose of this measure is to establish the Kentucky Urban
Search and Rescue Program as part of the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs (KDMA)
Division of Emergency Management and to create a corresponding restricted fund in the State
Treasury called the Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue Program fund.
FISCAL EXPLANATION : HB 157 would have no fiscal impact to the Commonwealth in this
fiscal biennium, though the future cost of the mandated program is indeterminable. The bill
creates the Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue Program (USAR) fund as the funding source for
the Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue Program, however, because this restricted fund would
depend on future appropriated funds, grants, and gifts, HB 157 itself has no cost.
According to testimony provided by Captain Ryan Hogsten and Lieutenant Doug Hargreaves of
the Lexington Fire Department to the Interim Budget Review Subcommittee on General
Government on November 2, 2022, the estimated cost to establish and operate the program
would be $12,875,000 in the first year and $12,959,000 in the second year with an ongoing
annual cost of $3,100,000, though these amounts are subject to change over time.
Page 2 of 2 LRC 2023-BR299-HB157
This estimate is based on the ten regional team model responsible for:
• Search
• Rescue
• Hazmat
• Medical
• Planning
• Safety
• Canines
Included in the above estimated cost are six full-time program directors and assistant directors,
equipment and fleet, warehousing, team personnel, and advanced training of USAR personnel.
The Kentucky Department of Military Affairs (KDMA) Division of Emergency Management has
not provided a cost estimate on the program.
DATA SOURCE(S): LRC Staff
PREPARER: Emma Mills NOTE NUMBER: 18 REVIEW: JAB DATE: 2/14/2023