FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 14, 2026
Time Requested: 07:56 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1953 |
Introduced |
SB198 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Natural Resources |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
3200,8707
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Decreases Existing Revenue, Increases Existing Expenses
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to exempt municipal volunteer firefighters from fees associated with hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. If this bill were to become law, volunteer firefighters from any state, certified by their fire chief, would receive a waiver of fees associated with hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges.
Out of the approximate 12,042 volunteer firefighters in West Virginia, we estimate at least 2,649 resident and 1,451 nonresidents would take advantage of this benefit. The DNR estimates at least $238,808 of hunting and fishing license revenue will be lost due to providing these free privileges. Additionally, approximately $37,030 of Federal Aid reimbursement will be lost due to the reduction in hunter license sales. This would result in an expected grand total of $275,834 in
lost revenue each year.
Additional cost would be incurred as we anticipate that we would need to reprogram the Electronic License System and hire at least one permanent full-time worker to process the waivers created by this law.
The anticipated reduction in revenue will result in the need to reduce the number of Natural Resource Police Officers by at least 2 full time officer. It is anticipated that the amount of revenue reduction will increase greater than the rate
of inflation as more people take advantage of the license fee waiver.
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 |
32,200 |
32,200 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
25,000 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
-275,834 |
-275,834 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Given: Source:
Number of WV Volunteer Firefighters 12,042 Compiled from internet sources
Resident Participation Rate 22% US Fish and Wildlife Survey 2011 for WV
Ave license revenue per resident $44.54 2020 WVDNR ELS License Sales
WV Volunteer Firefighters that hunt
and fish = 12,042 x 22% 2,649
Estimated license revenue loss =
2,649 X $44.54 $117,998
Federal Aid received per hunter $17 US Fish and Wildlife Service
Resident participation rate in hunting 14% US Fish and Wildlife Survey 2011 for WV
Estimated number of WV Volunteer
Firefighters that hunt = 12,042 x 14% 1,686
Estimated loss of Federal Funds =
1,686 X $17 $28,662
Total resident loss= $117,998 +
$28,662 $146,660
Nonresident numbers estimated assuming percent participation equal to WV volunteer firefighters (VFF)
(2,649 WV VFF /171,432 resident license holder = 1.545% of license holders that are VFF
1.545% * 93,920 nonresident license holders = 1451 nonresident VFF
Average nonresident license holder expenditure= $83.26 per year
Lost nonresident revenue= $83.26 * 1,451 =$120,810
Lost Federal Review =$17 *492 =$8,364, Total Nonresident Loss = $120,810 + $8,364 = $129,174
Estimated salary plus benefits of 1 full time worker to process and maintain records of fee waivers $32,200
Estimated cost to reprogram Electronic License System $25,000
Memorandum
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: Ben King
Email Address: benjamin.p.king@wv.gov