FISCAL NOTE
FUND(S):
3200
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
A New Program
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to create a hunting license permitting crossbow hunting. The bill grants the Director of the Division of Natural Resources rule-making authority. The license fee, season and species to be taken associated with the license proposed in the bill are to be set by rule. Because these parameters (1) will determine the fiscal impact of the bill and (2) seasons and bag limits are set by the Natural Resources Commission, it is not possible at this time to provide a detailed estimate of the fiscal impact that this measure will have on the costs and revenues of state government. A detailed fiscal note will be filed if and when rules are proposed.
At this time, the Division of Natural Resources has a neutral position on this bill and can make only general statements about its fiscal impact if enacted. They include the following:
1. Decisions that would generate positive fiscal impact from the bill would include:
a. Establishing the proposed license as a stamp rather than a stand-alone license
b. Establishing license fees for the proposed stamp that do not reduce sales of existing stamps
c. Establishing different license fees for residents and nonresidents
d. Establishing crossbow season dates that do not conflict with nor reduce participation in existing seasons
e. Establishing additive bag limits for crossbow seasons
2. Decisions made counter to the above recommendations may well generate a neutral or negative fiscal impact from the bill.
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 |
0 |
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 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Memorandum
Problematic or vague areas of the bill include the following:
1. The Director of the Division of Natural Resources does not have the authority to establish seasons and bag limits; the Natural Resources Commission has that authority.
2. It is not clear whether the proposed license is to be a stand-alone base license or a stamp that is to be accompanied by a valid base hunting license. It is recommended that the bill be clarified to establish the proposed license as a stamp, rather than a license.
3. It is not clear whether bill would allow differential resident/nonresident fees to be proposed by rule. It is recommended that the bill be clarified to permit different fees to be proposed for resident and nonresident hunters.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Steve Brown
Email Address: Walter.S.Brown@wv.gov