INCREASE FEES FOR VITAL RECORDS

Senate Bill 1143 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Burton Leland

Senate Committee:  Appropriations

House Committee:  Appropriations

Complete to 9-29-04                                                 

BRIEF SUMMARY:  Senate Bill 1143 amends the Public Health Code to establish increases in fees paid by the public for vital records documents and searches.  Vital records fees were last increased in 2001, 1992, and prior to that in 1980. 

FISCAL IMPACT:  The Department of Community Health (DCH) estimates that the fee increases will provide up to $1,434,300 annually in additional revenue for the state vital records program, and assumes a reduced demand for record requests to the State.  A $1.5 million increase is included in the DCH Fiscal Year 2004-05 budget as Enrolled (SB 1063), which assumes these fee increases.  The intent of the fee increase is to fully support the state vital records system with state restricted fees and federal funds, and eliminate the use of General Fund/General Purpose funding for vital records.

The fee changes recommended are as follows:

Current           Proposed

$15                  $26      Search for a vital record, and 1 copy or an official statement of no

                        record

$5                    $12      Additional identical copies ordered at time of search

$4                    $12      Additional years searched, charge per year

$18                  $29      Authenticated copy

$8                    $15      Additional identical authenticated copies ordered at the same time

$5                    $10      Verification of facts of a vital record: name, event, date, place, and

                        date of filing

$5                    $10      Request for an expedited search for a vital record

$30                  $40      Application to establish a delayed certificate of birth or death,

                        including 1 copy or official denial of application

$30                  $40      Registration of a delayed certificate of birth for a foreign born

                        adopted child, 1 copy

$7                    $7        Search, and 1 copy of the birth record of a person applying who is

                        age 65 or older

$26                  $40      Application to create a new vital record due to a change, or to

                        correct a vital record    

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Susan Frey

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.