| TO: | Honorable Mark Homer, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB4214 by Homer (Relating to the business of taxidermy; providing penalties.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted |
The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code relating to the business of taxidermy. The bill would require a taxidermist operating in the state to operate with an annual permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The bill would also require a licensed taxidermist to keep certain records as defined and would regulate the sale of unclaimed mounts or hides. The bill would provide penalties for violations.
TPWD indicates there are an estimated 1,000 taxidermists who would be required to seek a TPWD permit. Assuming the permit fee is set at a minimum $50 per year, the bill provisions are expected to generate an estimated $50,000 in revenue to the General Revenue-Dedicated Game Fish and Water Safety Account No. 9 in fiscal year 2010 and each year thereafter (1,000 x $50 = $50,000). This legislation would do one or more of the following: create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either with or outside of the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
TPWD indicates the cost to process permits is $0.76 per permit with an additional cost of $1.00 per permit for license printing related costs, resulting in an annual cost of $1,760 from the Game, Fish and Water Safety Account No. 9 in fiscal year 2010 and each year thereafter ($ 0.76 + $1.00 = $1.76 x $1,000 = $1,760).
This analysis assumes that these permits can be purchased only at TPWD headquarters or law enforcement regional offices where applicants will submit completed applications to a live agent prior to the issuance of a permit. This estimate also assumes permit fees will be deposited to the Game, Fish, and Water Safety Account No. 9 and all of the estimated 1,000 taxidermists would obtain required permits between June and August of 2010.
TPWD indicates that any costs related to the bill could be reasonably absorbed within TPWD's existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2009. Sections 73.002 and 73.041 as amended in the Parks and Wildlife Code would take effect June 1, 2010.
| Source Agencies: | 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, SZ, TB, SD
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