LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
May 5, 1997
TO: Honorable Edmund Kuempel, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 1452, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Committee on State Recreational Resources By: Gutierrez
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB1452 ( Relating
to poaching; providing a penalty.) this office has detemined
the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB1452-Committee Report 1st House, Substituted FN Revision 1
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a
net impact of $0 to General Revenue Related Funds through the
biennium ending August 31, 1999.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal
basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions
of the bill.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would allow seizure and forfeiture of hunting and fishing
equipment or a vehicle, vessel firearm or other device used
by a person hunting on private or public property, or fishing
in public water from private property without landowner consent.
The bill would also increase the minimum penalty for hunting
and fishing without landowner consent from a Class C misdemeanor
to a Class B misdemeanor. In addition, the bill provides for
license revocation and allows a court to prohibit a person from
buying a license for a period of time.
Methodolgy
The department estimates an annual revenue loss of $13,000 as
a result of license revocations, based on the cost of a combination
license.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department estimates that
the sale of confiscated equipment could result in a gain of
$15,000 per year. The agency estimates that an increase in
the average fine to $200 would result in a revenue gain of about
$46,000 per year, based on the agency's allocation of 85 percent
of the fines. The local courts retain 15 percent of the fine
(approximately $8,000).
The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions
of the bill during each of the first five years following passage
is estimated as follows:
Five Year Impact:
Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Probable Revenue
Gain/(Loss) from Gain/(Loss) from
Game, Fish and Game, Fish and
Water Safety Water Safety
Account Account
0009 0009
1998 ($13,000) $61,000
1998 (13,000) 61,000
2000 (13,000) 61,000
2001 (13,000) 61,000
2002 (13,000) 61,000
Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative)
General Revenue Related Funds
Funds
1998 $0
1999 0
2000 0
2001 0
2002 0
Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as
the provisions of the bill are in effect.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government
is anticipated. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,
local courts will retain 15 percent of the revenue generated
from higher fines, therefore, the estimated impact to local
courts is a revenue gain of about $8,000 per year.
Source: Agencies: 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
LBB Staff: JK ,BB ,DM