FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 25, 2021
Time Requested: 11:21 AM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2264 |
Introduced |
SB450 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
|
|---|
|
FUND(S):
3200, 8707
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to protect albino deer. Albino deer are defined in the bill as deer with a lack of or significant deficiency of pigment in skin and hair and with pink eyes. The white coloration in deer results from a mutation in a gene or an abnormal combination of genes which control hair color. This genetic aberration may be passed to the offspring from one or both of the parents, or result in some cases from toxins, radiation, trauma or infection which alters the genetic code of an individual.
“White deer” are rarely seen in the wild, estimates suggest only 1 deer per 30,000 to 100,000 deer possess these characteristics. Because the encounter rate of these deer are so low, protection of these deer will have essentially zero fiscal impact on the agency’s budget.
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 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Memorandum
The more diversity that exists in the genetic code of a deer population, the better that deer population is able to respond to environmental changes. Genetic variability is essential to viable wildlife populations. Human selection that reduces this genetic variability endangers wildlife and is considered unsound wildlife management. Since "white deer" are a result of genetic mutation and inbreeding they represent a loss of genetic variability it would not be in the best interest of the deer population to protect "white deer".
Albino, white or piebald deer are defined by the degree to which pigment is lacking. True albinism is the total lack of melanic pigment and is extremely rare. Albinism is a recessive genetic trait that can increase in frequency by inbreeding within a population. Piebald deer are the most common form of "white" or partially white deer found in West Virginia. This condition also results from an altered genetic code. "White" deer frequently have malformed skeletons including humped backs, dorsally arched nasal bones, short legs and abnormal joints. Some white deer have also shown antler deformities such as the lack of brow tines and palmation of the main beams. Other defects found in these deer include organ deformities such as malformed hearts and muscle lesions typical of white-muscle disease found in bovine. The genetic code of these individuals when crossed with another individual of the same genetic code is often lethal to the offspring. Such combinations of inferior genetic makeup should not be actively protected through harvest restrictions.
The Wildlife Resources Section employs the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation to manage wildlife in West Virginia. The North American Model is a science-based model which utilizes empirical data to establish season lengths and bag limits. This legislation will hinder the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources in its mission to manage all wildlife species for the benefit of West Virginia’s citizens.
For additional information concerning this fiscal note, please contact:
Zack Brown
zack.j.brown@wv.gov
304-558-2771
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Amanda Morris
Email Address: amanda.l.morris@wv.gov