FISCAL NOTE
FUND(S):
3265
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.
Since the implementation of the law permitting West Virginia residents, who are totally and permanently disabled, a fifty percent (50%) reduction in campground fees during the off-season, the Parks and Recreation Section of the Division of Natural Resources has issued approximately 100 cards per year to new applicants. Based upon this trend, we expect the demand for these cards to level off at approximately 2,500 individuals. Considering an average stay of approximately 6 nights during the months of June, July, and August, the effect of this legislation would be as follows:
2,500 Number of WV Residents who are currently totally and permanently disabled and can be reasonably expected to make application for a card entitling them to a 50% discount in state parks and forests
X 6 Average number of nights stay
15,000
X $20 Average cost of a campsite
$300,000 Total Revenue
÷.50 Percentage discount offered
($150,000) Potential Lost Revenue
The purpose of this bill is to also make the fifty percent (50%) discount on campground rental fees at state parks for West Virginia’s senior citizens available year-round instead of during the “off-season” only. Therefore, it would affect camping revenues during the months of June, July, and August. During those months in 2009, the Parks and Recreation Section of the Division of Natural Resources collected $963,219 in camping fees. A random survey of campgrounds and camper registration records in 2002 revealed that 28.89% of all registrations during those months were made by resident senior citizens. Therefore, revenue collections from this group totaled $278,273.96. Applying the 50% reduction as mandated in the bill means that the Parks and Recreation system would lose ($139,136.98).
By providing totally and permanently disabled and elderly West Virginia residents with a 50% reduction in camping fees from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Division of Natural Resources sees a possible ($289,136.98) reduction in total camping fees collected.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2011
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2012
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
-289,137 |
| 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 |
0 |
-289,137 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Since the implementation of the law permitting West Virginia residents, who are totally and permanently disabled, a fifty percent (50%) reduction in campground fees during the off-season, the Parks and Recreation Section of the Division of Natural Resources has issued approximately 100 cards per year to new applicants. Based upon this trend, we expect the demand for these cards to level off at approximately 2,500 individuals. Considering an average stay of approximately 6 nights during the months of June, July, and August, the effect of this legislation would be as follows:
2,500 Number of WV Residents who are currently totally and permanently disabled and can be reasonably expected to make application for a card entitling them to a 50% discount in state parks and forests
X 6 Average number of nights stay
15,000
X $20 Average cost of a campsite
$300,000 Total Revenue
÷.50 Percentage discount offered
($150,000) Potential Lost Revenue
The purpose of this bill is to also make the fifty percent (50%) discount on campground rental fees at state parks for West Virginia’s senior citizens available year-round instead of during the “off-season” only. Therefore, it would affect camping revenues during the months of June, July, and August. During those months in 2009, the Parks and Recreation Section of the Division of Natural Resources collected $963,219 in camping fees. A random survey of campgrounds and camper registration records in 2002 revealed that 28.89% of all registrations during those months were made by resident senior citizens. Therefore, revenue collections from this group totaled $278,273.96. Applying the 50% reduction as mandated in the bill means that the Parks and Recreation system would lose ($139,136.98).
By providing totally and permanently disabled and elderly West Virginia residents with a 50% reduction in camping fees from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Division of Natural Resources sees a possible ($289,136.98) reduction in total camping fees collected.
Memorandum
If further information is needed regarding this fiscal note, please contact:
Robert Beanblossom, District Administrator
Division of Natural Resources
Parks & Recreation Section
324 4th Avenue
South Charleston, WV 25303-1228
304.558.2764 office
304.389.5041 cell
304.558.0077 fax
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Robert Beanblossom
Email Address: Robert.L.Beanblossom