FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 14, 2023
Time Requested: 04:01 PM
Agency: Natural Resources, WV Division of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1006 Introduced HB2365
CBD Subject:


FUND(S):

3200

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Creates New Expense, Creates New Program



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The purpose of this bill is to establish a program known as the “Access to Private Lands Program” that would allow permissioned access to private lands for hunting and fishing purposes by licensed anglers or hunters where landowners have agreed to participate in the program. Stipulations of the program include that the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) will purchase, enter, or lease lands from landowners to allow access of hunters and anglers and to stimulate access needs. In addition, the WVDNR is expected to develop and implement rules for users, offer additional incentives in terms of forest and land management to landowners, and assign law enforcement personnel to patrol the land, enforce laws pertaining to game, fishing, littering, and other land protection laws. The creation of the Access to Private Lands Program, according to the parameters set forth in the bill, would require the WVDNR to create a new Program under the Wildlife Resources Section, Operations Unit, hire new staff, and include an annual operating budget for a total estimated expenditure of $540,978 annually. First year, initial equipment purchases include an estimated total of $127,112



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2023
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 668,090 540,978
Personal Services 0 305,578 305,578
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 362,512 235,400
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


Salaries include: • Natural Resources Program Manager 1: $79,659.47 (fringe benefits included) • Environmental Resources Specialist 2: 2 @ $57,281.82 = $114,563.64 (fringe benefits included) • Environmental Resource Specialist 3: @ $66,450.24 (fringe benefits included) • Secretary: $44,904.70 (fringe benefits included) *An unknown number of additional Natural Resources Police Officers (NRPO) would be required @ $76,487.22 (salary plus fringe benefits), as well as the purchasing and maintenance of additional patrol vehicles and equipment. Additional NRPOs would be needed to enforce laws on approximately 3,700,000 acres of potentially eligible lands (both commercial and non-commercial) that exist in West Virginia in adequately sized parcels for hunting (200 acres or more with 500 foot buffers around dwellings of human occupied structures). Further, establishing the program would require an annual budget of $200,000 minimum (not including the above salaries and fringe benefits), as well as four vehicles (4 x $30,678.00 = $122,712), four cellular phones (4 @$600=$2400), vehicle operating costs (4 @ $0.55/mile x 15,000 miles annually= $33,000), and computers (4 @ 1100 = $4400). The total cost to initiate this program under the above parameters equates to an initial estimated investment of $668,090, with $540,978 recurring annually.



Memorandum


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