LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 21, 2011

TO:
Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
 
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1408 by Flynn (Relating to resident fishing license fees for military personnel.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1408, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2013.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2012 $0
2013 $0
2014 $0
2015 $0
2016 $0




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
Game,Fish,Water Safety Ac
9
2012 ($514,777)
2013 ($514,777)
2014 ($514,777)
2015 ($514,777)
2016 ($514,777)

The bill would amend portions of the Parks and Wildlife Code related to the general fishing license. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission would be required to waive the fee for a Texas resident who holds a valid military identification card issued by the US military, Texas National Guard, Texas Air Guard, or Texas State Guard. A valid ID issued by the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard is sufficient to establish residency. 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.

Fiscal Analysis

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reports an estimated revenue loss of $700,935 per fiscal year from the sale of Combo and Super Combo fishing licenses, offset by a revenue gain of $186,158 per fiscal year from the sale of general hunting licenses ($136,750) and in hunting stamps ($49,408) for a net revenue loss of $514,777 per fiscal year from the General Revenue-Dedicated Game, Fish and Water Safety Account No. 9

Methodology

TPWD currently waives the fishing fee for all active duty military. The bill would expand the population to include the Reserve and Guard not on active duty. Additionally, the bill includes all retired military personnel residing in Texas because they hold a valid military ID. TPWD estimates there are approximately 86,621 Reserve and Guard personnel not on active duty and 189,787 retired military personnel for a total population of 276,408. Using the percentage of the total population who hold a fishing license, this analysis assumes 6.25 percent, or approximately 17,276 individuals in the Reserve, Guard, or retired military would be interested in fishing.

Revenue Loss: Using the proportion of each specific license purchased in fiscal year 2010 to the total resident fishing population of 1,520,073, this analysis applies a pro-rated allocation to the 17,276 sub-population, then determined revenue by using the per license cost. For example, the revenue loss for the Non-Senior Freshwater license was estimated at [(331,034/1,520,073)*17,276*$30=$112,868]. In total, across all licenses offered by TPWD, the revenue loss was estimated at $700,935.

Revenue Gain - General Hunting License: Assuming that those who previously purchased a Combo and Super-Combo license (hunting and fishing) would still desire to hunt, the revenue gain to TPWD from the purchases of general hunting licenses would be an estimated $136,750 per fiscal year. The hunting license is $7 for seniors and $25 for non-seniors. 

Revenue Gain - Super Combo Hunting Stamps: Assuming those who purchased the Super Combo Package would still desire to hunt the game requiring hunting stamps,  the revenue gain to TPWD would be an estimated $49,408 per fiscal year. Each stamp costs $7.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
802 Parks and Wildlife Department
LBB Staff:
JOB, KM, ZS, TB