LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session April 4, 2001 TO: Honorable J.E. "Buster" Brown, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB1401 by Madla (Relating to the application of the fishing license requirement to a person who is at least 65 years of age.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * SB1401, As Introduced: positive impact of $0 through the biennium * * ending August 31, 2003. * * * * The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal * * basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of * * the bill. * ************************************************************************** General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: **************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) * * Impact to General Revenue Related * * Funds * * 2002 $0 * * 2003 0 * * 2004 0 * * 2005 0 * * 2006 0 * **************************************************** All Funds, Five-Year Impact: ***************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from * * Game, Fish and Water Safety * * Account/ GR-Dedicated * * 0009 * * 2002 $(361,582) * * 2003 (405,338) * * 2004 (447,245) * * 2005 (437,437) * * 2006 (485,113) * ***************************************************** Fiscal Analysis The bill would exempt Texas residents 65 years of age and older from fishing license requirements as well as nonresidents who are at least 65 years of age and the person's state of residence grants a similar age exemption to Texas residents. Methodology According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, fishing license requirements for certain senior citizens changed beginning with FY 1996. Resident seniors who became 65 after August 31, 1995 were required to purchase a discounted fishing license (Special Resident Fishing License @ $6.00; and as of September 1, 1999 the Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing License @ $10.00; and Senior Resident Super Combo Hunting and Fishing license package $25.00) instead of being exempt. Previous sales history on the Special Resident Fishing License indicates increasing numbers of sales which equates to approximately 5% of the state's population 65 years of age. Anticipated revenue from discounted fishing licenses for residents 65 years of age or older is reduced for FY 2002 through FY 2006. Potential revenue loss has been reflected. Key assumptions: a. 5% of senior population will continue to purchase discounted fishing or combination licenses. b. Overall state population increases (averaged approximately 2% annually from 1990 through 1998) will at least offset the number of senior anglers who cease fishing. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 802 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department LBB Staff: JK, CL, SK