HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 133

(By Delegates Hamilton, Evans, A., Ambler, Romine, Eldridge, Phillips, L., Border-Sheppard, Cadle, Campbell, Canterbury, Rodighiero, Smith, R., Wagner, and Zatezalo)

[Originating in the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources]

[March 10, 2015]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the economic impact of reducing or eliminating the necessity for certain hunting, fishing and trapping licenses.

            WHEREAS, Residents that meet certain criteria currently do not require a license to hunt or fish, such as: a resident who is totally blind; residents who are on active duty in the armed forces of the United States of America, while on leave or furlough; resident who is a disabled veteran; resident who is certifiably developmentally disabled;

            WHEREAS, Resident landowners and their resident children may hunt or fish on their own land without a permit or license during open seasons in accordance with laws and rules applying to hunting and fishing;

            WHEREAS, legislation has been proposed which would create additional exemptions from the license requirement, such as: native nonresidents, certain military personnel, and senior citizens;

            WHEREAS, The State of West Virginia, Division of Natural Resources is responsible for providing a comprehensive program for the exploration, conservation, development, protection, enjoyment and use of the natural resources of the state;

            WHEREAS, Revenues from the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses are constitutionally dedicated for the conservation, restoration, management, educational benefit, recreational use and scientific study of the state’s fish and wildlife; and

            WHEREAS, significant federal funding received by the State of West Virginia is dependent upon the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses by the state; therefore be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Legislature hereby requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the overall economic impact of loss of license revenues by the creation of additional exemptions from the license requirement on the Division of Natural Resources’ duty to utilize license revenues for the conservation, restoration, management, educational benefit, recreational use and scientific study of the state’s fish and wildlife, and its duty to seek federal funding to aid in the accomplishment those duties; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2016, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.