FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 19, 2026
Time Requested: 03:53 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
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| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2110 |
Introduced |
HB4504 |
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|---|
| CBD Subject: |
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FUND(S):
3200,8707
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Decreases Existing Revenue
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to enact a restriction on the number of antlered deer a licensed hunter may take to two per season and to place a point restriction on the second antlered deer harvested.
Should the bill become law, the bill will prohibit the Natural Resources Commission from establishing an annual antlered buck bag limit greater than two per license year.
Each year an annual bag limit (antlered/antlerless) is proposed by DNR Wildlife Resources Section and approved/disapproved by the Natural Resources Commission. Currently the annual limit is two antlered deer per hunter. In those counties with Chronic Wasting Disease or for holders of the Senior Lifetime License (Class XS) the annual bag limit is 3 antlered deer.
This bill would also restrict the hunter's ability to harvest a second buck by implementing point restrictions. An estimated 33% of hunters will be restricted from harvesting a second buck resulting in an estimated $340,720 loss in RG, RB, RRG + RRB stamp sales.
The anticipated reduction in revenue will result in the need to reduce the number of Natural Resources Police Officers by at least one full time officer.
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 |
-340,720 |
-340,720 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
All Individuals harvesting 2 bucks in 2024 7,246 DNR Electronic License System
Individuals harvesting 2 bucks with 6+ points 4,864 DNR Electronic License System
% that would be not eligible to harvest 2nd 33% {1 -(4,864/7,246) * 100)
buck under this legislation
Number of RB & RG stamps sold in 2024 34,520 DNR ELS
Estimated loss of RB+RG stamps 11,392 {34,520 * 33%)
Estimated loss of RB+RG sales $239,232 {11,392 * $21)
Number of RRB stamps sold in 2024 3,166 DNR ELS
Estimated loss of RRB stamps 1,045 {3,166 * 33%)
Estimated loss of RRB sales $38,665 (1,045 * $37)
Number of RRG stamps sold in 2024 4,428 DNR ELS
Estimated loss of RRG stamps 1,461 (4,428 * 33%)
Estimated loss of RRG sales $62,823 {1,461 * $43)
Total loss due to point restriction $340,720
Memorandum
This bill will limit the Natural Resources Commission's ability to properly manage and protect the wildlife resources for the State.
This legislation will hinder the Natural Resources Commission and impede its mandate in West Virginia Code ยง20-1- 17, "To fix by regulation which it is hereby empowered to promulgate, in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, the open seasons and the bag, creel, size, age, weight and sex limits with respect to wildlife in this state."
This bill will hinder the ability to manage deer in areas impacted by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
Current research and suggested best management practices regarding CWD disease management recommend increased harvest of both antlered and antlerless deer, not a reduction (Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 2018)
The bill as written would limit the second antlered buck to those having three scorable on one side and would not allow hunters to harvest a typical 8 point or greater buck which would have 4 or more scorable points on both sides.
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