FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 10, 2021
Time Requested: 04:46 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1347 |
Introduced |
HB2237 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
|
|---|
|
FUND(S):
3265
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund
Legislation creates:
Decreases Existing Revenue
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
According to the WV Department of Veterans Assistance, there are roughly 148,000 veterans in WV – which is approximately 12.5 percent of the population of WV. 35,226 of those veterans receive Disability compensation, which is 24% of the veterans, or 2% of the population of the state. In 2020 the state park system rented a total of 58,247 campsites between Labor Day and Memorial Day. 2% of that number is 1,165 sites, times an average of $30 per night is $34,950. The revenue loss expected should this bill pass would be approximately $34,950 based on the current occupancy.
However, an unrestricted and unregulated free camping program offered to disabled veterans would likely become so popular that it could even displace other campers. The popularity could grow so that all current campers during the described season are displaced. West Virginia State Parks camping revenues in FY2019 were 2,535,728.01. Approximately 25% of all camping revenues are received between Labor Day and Memorial Day, which represents a potential loss of $633,932.
The actual loss would be between $34,950 and $633,932 depending on the popularity of the program.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2021
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2022
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 |
-34,950 |
-300,000 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
According to the WV Department of Veterans Assistance, there are roughly 148,000 veterans in WV – which is approximately 12.5 percent of the population of WV. 35,226 of those veterans receive Disability compensation, which is 24% of the veterans, or 2% of the population of the state. In 2020 the state park system rented a total of 58,247 campsites between Labor Day and Memorial Day. 2% of that number is 1,165 sites, times an average of $30 per night is $34,950. The revenue loss expected should this bill pass would be approximately $34,950 based on the current occupancy.
However, an unrestricted and unregulated free camping program offered to disabled veterans would likely become so popular that it could even displace other campers. The popularity could grow so that all current campers during the described season are displaced. West Virginia State Parks camping revenues in FY2019 were 2,535,728.01. Approximately 25% of all camping revenues are received between Labor Day and Memorial Day, which represents a potential loss of $633,932.
The actual loss would be between $34,950 and $633,932 depending on the popularity of the program.
Memorandum
For additional information concerning this fiscal note, please contact:
Mark Wylie
Mark.W.Wylie@wv.gov
304-558-2764
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Amanda Morris
Email Address: amanda.l.morris@wv.gov