FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 16, 2026
Time Requested: 02:01 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
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| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1150 |
Introduced |
HB4424 |
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|---|
| CBD Subject: |
|
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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 permit landowners or lessees of land whose land is damaged by deer or other wildlife to hire a third party to kill the deer or other wildlife by bow and arrow.
Currently the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) issues permits to landowners and lessees to remove animals damaging crops. After an on-site investigation, a Natural Resources Police Officer (NRPO) can issue a permit to remove a limited number of animals expected to be responsible for the damage.
Because the net effect of the proposed bill (i.e., removal of animals causing damage to property) is currently allowed by law, the DNR expects no fiscal change should the bill become law.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
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):
n/a
Memorandum
Employing a third party to kill animals that have a closed season is currently prohibited by WV Code §20-2-5 (13) which prohibits anyone to: “Employ, hire, induce, or persuade, with money, things of value, or by any means, any person to hunt, take, catch, or kill any wild animal or wild bird except those species in which there is no closed season; or to fish for, catch, take, or kill any fish, amphibian, or aquatic life that is protected by rule, or the sale of which is otherwise prohibited.”
Currently, when a NRPO issues a damage permit, the landowner may designate any person as a hunter on the permit. There is no cost to a landowner to obtain a permit.
For additional information concerning this fiscal note, please contact:
Wendy Greene, Deputy Director
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
112 California Avenue
Charleston, West Virginia 25305
304-558-2754
Wendy.L.Greene@wv.gov
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Amy J. Smith
Email Address: amy.cowiesmith@wv.gov