LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 20, 2005

TO:	Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2648 by Homer (Relating to hunting licenses for certain nonresident landowners.), As Introduced

If enacted, the bill could result in a revenue loss to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).  However, the number of non-resident hunters and trappers purchasing licenses from the TPWD that also own land in State of Texas is not readily available.  Based on estimates that rely on assumptions regarding the percentage of non-resident license holders that also own land, the potential revenue loss ranges from $145,214 to $1.5 million per fiscal year.

The bill would provide that nonresident landowners pay the same license fees as Texas residents for hunting and trapping.  The bill defines a nonresident landowner as a nonresident who owns real property in Texas.  

 

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) indicates the bill would effect revenue generated by the following licenses:

 

General Nonresident Hunting :$300 ($23 for residents)

Nonresident Special Hunting  : $125 ($23 for residents)

Nonresident 5 day Hunting: $45 ($23 for residents)

Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting: $120 ($23 for residents)

Nonresident Banded Bird Hunting: $25 ($23 for residents)

Nonresident Trapper: $300 ($18 for residents)

Nonresident Raptor Trapper: $360 ($60 for residents)

Nonresident Alligator Hunting:$360 ($42 for residents)

 

According to the agency, no data is available regarding the number of non-resident landowners that currently purchase TPWD hunting and trapping licenses and stamps.  However, by applying various assumptions regarding the number of non-resident hunters and trappers that also own land in the State of Texas, the potential revenue loss can be estimated.  At present TPWD reports that there are approximately 40,760 non-resident hunting and trapping license sales.  Assuming that 2 percent of those purchasing non-resident licenses qualify as landowners, the revenue loss to the General Revenue-Dedicated Game, Fish and Water Safety Account No. 9 would be $145,214 per fiscal year.  However, if as much as 20 percent of nonresident hunters and trappers were to qualify as landowners, than the revenue loss would increase to $1,456,244 per fiscal year. 

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