LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 18, 2005

TO:	Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2230 by Reyna (Relating to fees paid by persons 65 years of age or older for certain hunting and fishing privileges.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would exempt hunters and fishermen who are 65 years of age or older from paying fees at rates greater than rates in place as of September 1, 2004.  The requirement would apply to all noncommercial hunting or fishing licenses, stamps, tags, permits, or similar documents conferring hunting or fishing privileges. 

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD) indicates that over time TPWD may see an erosion of revenue due to rate freezes, as the population of individuals engaged in hunting and fishing ages.  TPWD reports the hunting and fishing population is aging, with only limited numbers of younger people entering the population. 

However, the TPWD does not anticipate the revenue loss resulting from passage of this bill to be significant.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

802 Parks and Wildlife Department

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, ZS, TB