FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 16, 2020
Time Requested: 01:42 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1221 |
Introduced |
SB160 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Natural Resources |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
Wildlife Resources License Fund and Federal Funds
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Decreases Existing Revenue, Creates New Program
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The proposed bill will create a new program and associated fund allowing purchasers of hunting and fishing licenses to donate one dollar to be disbursed to the WVU Rifle Team. It also requires the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to track and report on the spending of that money.
Utilizing the Electronic Licensing System, paid for and maintained by hunting and fishing license funds, to solicit and disperse monies not related to the operation of the state fish and wildlife agency would place the West Virginia Division of Natural Resource in diversion of hunting and fishing license dollars and result in the State’s inability to participate in the Sportfish and Wildlife Restoration Programs administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This would result in the estimated loss of $10.6 million per year in federal funding going forward.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2020
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2021
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
10,602,476 |
10,602,476 |
0 |
| Personal Services |
250 |
250 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
10,602,726 |
10,602,726 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
The cost of complying with the administrative requirements to collect, disperse and report on the spending of the funds is estimated to require 8 hours by an employee making $31.25/hour (salary plus fringe).
$10.6 million is estimated to be lost each year by becoming ineligible for the Federal Aid in Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program. $10.6 million is the 2019 apportionment West Virginia received.
Memorandum
The WVDNR online licensing system was initially paid for and is maintained by protected revenue (Hunting and Fishing License funds) and thus any activity that utilizes the system must be an eligible wildlife or fish management related project (West Virginia Code Chapter 20-1-18a, or 20-1-18b) as outlined in the federal code ( 50 CFR §80.11 or §80.50). While donated funds are not technically a license or permit, the agency must exercise extreme care when collecting, depositing, holding, and expending these funds.
The funding of a university rifle team is not an eligible activity, because it is not directly related to the administration of the state fish and wildlife agency. This is a diversion situation which would result in the loss of approximately $10.6 million in federal monies annually from the Federal Aid in Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program.
For additional questions, please contact Zack Brown at Zack.J.Brown@wv.gov or 304-558-2771.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Amanda Morris
Email Address: amanda.l.morris@wv.gov