FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

3200

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


SB 693 creates a Class XS lifetime senior citizen’s hunting, fishing and trapping license. The one-time fee for the Class XS license will be $15. SB 693 will allow the Division of Natural Resources to capture $5.25 per senior annually in additional federal funding from reimbursement of federal excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition. West Virginia’s senior sportsmen are currently paying these excise taxes but the funds are being distributed only to states that license senior sportsmen. The bill would exempt those currently 65 and older from payment of the license fee. The bill will increase revenue by $206,000 in the first full year and by an increasing amount each year thereafter as more sportsmen reach age 65.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2008
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2009
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 2,000 2,000
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 2,000 2,000
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 91,125 206,000


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


SB 693 creates a Class XS lifetime senior citizen’s hunting, fishing and trapping license. West Virginia seniors are currently exempt from the requirement to possess a hunting, fishing and trapping license. The one-time fee for the proposed Class XS license will be $15. SB 693 will allow the Division of Natural Resources to capture $5.25 per senior annually in additional federal funding from reimbursement of federal excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition. West Virginia’s senior sportsmen are currently paying these excise taxes but the funds are being distributed only to states that license senior sportsmen. The bill would exempt those currently 65 and older from payment of the Class XS license fee. The bill will increase DNR revenue by $206,000 in the first full year and by an increasing amount each year thereafter as more and more sportsmen reach age 65. An estimated 9,000 sportsmen turn 65 years of age each year. This rate already exceeds the recruitment rate for young sportsmen and the disparity will increase as more and more baby-boomers reach age 65. We estimate the new paper license to cost approximately $2,000 per year.



Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Steve Brown
    Email Address: stevebrown@wvdnr.gov