Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1080 by Gallego (Relating to an exemption for active duty personnel and certain veterans from the requirement to complete a hunter education program.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend portions of the Parks and Wildlife Code to exempt honorably discharged veterans of the US armed forces, or active duty US armed forces or members of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, or Texas State Guard from completing a hunter education course. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), in fiscal year 2010 there were approximately 150,875 new hunters age 17 and over in Texas. TPWD estimates there are approximately 197,000 individuals on active duty military, in the National Guard, or Texas Guard, with an additional 1.7 million retired veterans living in Texas. With a total Texas population of 24.7 million, this represents 7.68 percent of the population. Furthermore, there are approximately 8.9 million individuals in Texas ages 17-40, 36 percent of the total population. Assuming that the demographics of the new hunters are consistent with the population at large, there would be approximately 4,171 new hunters in Texas on active duty military, in the National Guard, Texas Guard, or a retired veteran age 17-40 (150,875 x 7.68% x 36%). These individuals are currently required to complete hunter education but would be exempted under bill provisions. At $5 per individual this would represent a loss of approximately $20,855 per fiscal year to the General Revenue-Dedicated Game, Fish and Water Safety Account No. 9, which does not reflect a significant fiscal implication to TPWD or the state. The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives two-thirds the vote of all members in both houses. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.