FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 21, 2017
Time Requested: 01:29 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2608 |
Introduced |
SB357 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Natural Resources |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
3200, 8707
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund,Other Fund 8707
Legislation creates:
Neither Program nor Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to make volunteer firefighters exempt from hunting, fishing and trapping licenses.
If this bill were to become law, both West Virginia resident and non-resident volunteer firefighters would be exempt from purchasing a license to hunt, fish, and trap within the state.
Out of the approximate 8,411 volunteer firefighters in West Virginia we assume 1,851 would take advantage of this benefit. An additional 401 nonresident volunteer firefighters would be expected to take advantage of the benefit. We estimate that providing these free licenses will cost the state $124,034 in hunting and fishing license sales, and approximately $40,536 in Federal Aid Reimbursement. This would result in an expected grand total of $164,570 in lost revenue.
In order to process the expected increase in applications for exemption it is anticipated that at least 1 full time staff would need to be hired, and a new card printer acquired. Additionally the WVDNR will have pay for significant reprogramming of the Electronic License System. This would result in increased costs of $57,200 the first year and $32,200 each year afterward.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2017
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2018
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
57,200 |
32,200 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
32,200 |
32,200 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
25,000 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
-164,570 |
-164,570 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Estimated Total WV Population = 1,850,000
Number of WV resident individuals that purchased a Hunting or Fishing license in 2016 = 199,234
Total WV Volunteer Firefighters (WV Fire Marshal, personal communication)= 8,411
Participation Rate in Hunting and Fishing= 22%
Estimated WV Volunteer Firefighters that hunt and fish 8411 X 22% (percent participation)= 1,851
Average license revenue per licensed resident =$44
Estimate license revenue lost= $44 X 1851 = $81,444
Estimated percentage of resident license holders that are Volunteer Firefighters = 1851 / 199234 X100 = 0.9291%
We assume that non-residents from surrounding states would be Volunteer Firefighters at the same rate that West Virginia residents are.
Percentage of WV population that are Volunteer Firefighter=0.4546486%
Estimated population of OH, MD, PA, KY, VA =43,095,000
Estimated Volunteer Firefighters in OH, MD, PA, KY, VA = 43,095,000 X 0.4546486%=195,931
Estimated Volunteer Firefighters from OH, MD, PA, KY, VA that hunt and fish = 195,931 X 22%= 43,105
Estimated Volunteer Firefighters from OH, MD, PA, KY, VA that would take advantage of this benefit= 43,105 X 0.9291% = 401
Average non-resident license purchase = 106.21
Estimate license revenue lost = 401 X 106.21 = $42,590
Federal Aid Loss = (401 non-resident + 1851 resident) X $18 per license = $ 40,536
Estimated salary plus benefits of 1 full time worker to process and maintain records of fee waivers $32,200
Estimated cost to reprogram Electronic License System = $25,000
Grand Total = $ 40,536 + $42,590 + $81,444 = $164,570 in lost revenue plus $32,200 per year in increase costs
Memorandum
By law, all hunters and anglers in West Virginia must be served by the agency’s wildlife and law enforcement programs, including those who are not paid license holders. Currently, the agency estimates that 43 percent of all hunters and anglers are exempt from purchasing a hunting or fishing license, thus placing the total financial responsibility for supporting wildlife and law enforcement programs on those who do purchase licenses. This bill would increase the number of sportsmen who will not purchase a license, thus increasing the financial responsibility on paid license holders for providing agency services to all. Finally, any reduction in paid license holders hurts the agency’s ability to secure federal aid revenues that are used to help keep license fees low for everyone. More free hunting and fishing license privileges for some must inevitably result in higher license fees for others, thereby reducing participation and economic impact from sportsman expenditures in the state.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Zack Brown
Email Address: zack.j.brown@wv.gov