FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 12, 2019
Time Requested: 01:02 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 3164 |
Introduced |
HB3059 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Agriculture |
|---|
|
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.
This bill proposes to allow hunters to start the buck firearms season 2-days early by purchasing an extra stamp. The revenue from the stamp would be divided equally among WVDNR Law Enforcement, Wildlife Resources, State Parks, Public Employees Retirement System, and West Virginia Department of Veteran’s Assistance.
We estimate 70% of current deer hunters would take advantage of this stamp. This would generate over $1.97 million in revenue (approximately $395,000 per designated entity). However this distribution of license money would place the state of West Virginia in diversion. As a result the WVDNR would lose approximately $11 million per year in federal Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program funds.
The loss of $11 million per year would result in layoffs of WVDNR employees and severe reductions in service.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2019
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2020
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 |
-9,750,704 |
-9,750,704 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Generation of $1,978,070 in stamp sales:
From our 2018 West Virginia Deer Hunter survey, 70% of hunters indicated hunting the opening day of Buck Firearm Season was very important to them.
2018 license sales were multiplied by 70% to estimate 70,048 resident and 19,237 non-resident deer hunters would purchase these stamps.
Resident revenue 70,048 X $20= $1,400,960
Nonresident revenue 19,237 X $30=577,110
Loss of $11,728,771 in Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Funds
2018 federal apportionment for West Virginia was:
$3,519,175 for Sportfish Restoration
$8,209,596 for Wildlife Restoration
$1,978,070(revenue from license sales) -$11,728,771 (loss of federal funds) = -$9,750,704
States which are found in diversion of license revenue are not eligible to receive these funds (50 CFR 80.10)
Memorandum
This bill directly conflicts with:
West Virginia Constitution Article 6-55. Revenues and properties applicable to fish and wildlife conservation.
Fees, moneys, interest or funds arising from the sales of all permits and licenses to hunt, trap, fish or otherwise hold or capture fish and wildlife resources and money reimbursed and granted by the federal government for fish and wildlife conservation shall be expended solely for the conservation, restoration, management, educational benefit, recreational use and scientific study of the state's fish and wildlife, including the purchases or other acquisition of property for said purposes and for the administration of the laws pertaining thereto and for no other purposes.
In the 2018 West Virginia Deer Hunter survey:
70% of respondents preferred to keep the opening of Buck Season on the Monday before Thanksgiving
19% of respondents preferred to open it the Saturday before the current opening
11% had no strong opinion
For additional information concerning this fiscal note, please contact:
Zack Brown, zack.j.brown@wv.gov
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Jennifer Snow
Email Address: jennifer.l.snow@wv.gov