FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 11, 2024
Time Requested: 10:41 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1511 |
Introduced |
HB4522 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
|
|---|
|
FUND(S):
3200, 8707
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Decreases Existing Revenue
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
Purpose of this bill is to enact a restriction on the number of antlered deer a licensed hunter may take to two per season and to place a point restriction on the second antlered deer harvested.
Should the bill become law, the bill will prohibit the Natural Resources Commission from establishing an annual antlered buck bag limit greater than two per license year.
Each year an annual bag limit (antlered/antlerless) is proposed by DNR Wildlife Resources Section and approved/disapproved by the Natural Resources Commission. Currently an annual limit is two antlered deer per hunter. In those counties with Chronic Wasting Disease and for holders of the Senior Lifetime License (Class XS) the annual bag limit is 3 antlered deer.
This bill would also restrict the hunter’s ability to harvest a second buck by implementing point restrictions. An estimated 37% of hunters will be restricted from harvesting a second buck resulting in an estimated $423,449 loss in RG, RB, RRG + RRB stamp sales.
The anticipated reduction in revenue will result in the need to reduce the number of Natural Resources Police Officers by at least one full time officer.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2025
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
-423,437 |
-423,437 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
All Individuals harvesting 2 bucks in 2021 7,123
DNR Electronic License System
Individuals harvesting 2 bucks with < 6 points 4,463
DNR Electronic License System
% that would be not eligible to harvest 2nd buck under this legislation 37%
(1 -(4,463/7,123))*100)
Revenue from RB and RG license Sold 2021 $851,235
DNR ELS
Estimated Loss of RB +RG sales $314,957
($851,235 *37%)
Revenue from RRB stamps sold in 2021 $108,891
DNR ELS
Potential loss of RRB stamps $40,290
($108,891 *37%)
Revenue from RRG stamps sold in 2021 $184,298
DNR ELS
Potential loss of RRG stamps $68,190
($184,298 *37%)
Total loss due to point restriction $ 423,437
Memorandum
This bill will limit the Natural Resources Commission’s ability to properly manage and protect the wildlife resources for the State.
This legislation will hinder the Natural Resources Commission and impede its mandate in West Virginia Code §20-1-17, “To fix by regulation which it is hereby empowered to promulgate, in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, the open seasons and the bag, creel, size, age, weight and sex limits with respect to wildlife in this state.”
This bill will also hinder the ability to manage deer in areas impacted by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
Current research and suggested best management practices regarding CWD disease management recommend increased harvest of both antlered and antlerless deer, not a reduction (Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 2018).
For additional information concerning this fiscal note, please contact:
Zack Brown
304-352-5126
zack.j.brown@wv.gov
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Amanda Morris
Email Address: amanda.l.morris@wv.gov