FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 03, 2016
Time Requested: 02:26 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1362 |
Introduced |
HB4375 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Compacts, Natural Resources |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
3200
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Neither Program nor Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
Purpose of this bill is to authorize the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to enter reciprocal agreements with other states to permit hunting, trapping and fishing under a license issued by states identified in the agreements. Without specific agreements in hand, it is impossible to evaluate the fiscal impact of the agreement to the Division. Potentially all non-residents who purchase a hunting or fishing license in their home state would be eligible to hunt or fish in West Virginia for free except for additional stamps required under the agreement.
License revenue and federal aid provide the bulk of the operating and capital improvements revenue for the agency’s wildlife and law enforcement programs. By law, all hunters and anglers in West Virginia must be served by the agency’s wildlife and law enforcement programs, including those who are not paid licenseholders. Currently, the agency estimates that 43 percent of all hunters and anglers do not purchase a hunting or fishing license, thus placing the total financial responsibility for supporting wildlife and law enforcement programs on those who do purchase licenses. This bill would increase the number of sportsmen who will not purchase a license, thus increasing the financial responsibility on paid licenseholders for providing agency services to all. Finally, any reduction in paid licenseholders hurts the agency’s ability to secure federal aid revenues that are used to help keep license fees low for everyone. More free hunting and fishing license privileges for some must inevitably result in higher license fees for others, thereby reducing participation and economic impact from sportsman expenditures in the state.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2017
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):
TBD – Cannot project the extent of the fiscal impacts relating to the loss of revenue and license sales without specifics and terms of agreement with cooperating states.
Memorandum
License revenue and federal aid provide the bulk of the operating and capital improvements revenue for the agency’s wildlife and law enforcement programs. By law, all hunters and anglers in West Virginia must be served by the agency’s wildlife and law enforcement programs, including those who are not paid licenseholders. Currently, the agency estimates that 43 percent of all hunters and anglers do not purchase a hunting or fishing license, thus placing the total financial responsibility for supporting wildlife and law enforcement programs on those who do purchase licenses. This bill would increase the number of sportsmen who will not purchase a license, thus increasing the financial responsibility on paid licenseholders for providing agency services to all. Finally, any reduction in paid licenseholders hurts the agency’s ability to secure federal aid revenues that are used to help keep license fees low for everyone. More free hunting and fishing license privileges for some must inevitably result in higher license fees for others, thereby reducing participation and economic impact from sportsman expenditures in the state.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: RANDY TUCKER
Email Address: RANDY.L.TUCKER@WV.GOV