LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 5, 2015

TO:
Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB215 by Harless (Relating to waiving the fee for a fishing license for residents of this state who are at least 65 years of age.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB215, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.

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
2016 $0
2017 $0
2018 $0
2019 $0
2020 $0




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue (Loss) from
Game,Fish,Water Safety Ac
9
Probable (Cost) from
Game,Fish,Water Safety Ac
9
2016 ($2,752,000) ($108,311)
2017 ($2,792,000) ($109,882)
2018 ($2,832,000) ($111,475)
2019 ($2,874,000) ($113,091)
2020 ($2,915,000) ($114,731)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend portions of the Parks and Wildlife Code by waiving the fee for a fishing license for those age 65 and over. 

The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving two-thirds majority vote in each house. Otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2015.

Methodology

Based on information provided by the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the bill would reduce annual revenue collections from senior resident fishing licenses by $1,458,000, from senior Combo hunting/fishing licenses by $425,000, and from senior Super Combo hunting/fishing licenses by $1,955,113.  The analysis also assumes that revenue collections from senior hunting licenses would increase by $590,000 and from hunting stamps by 496,000, as seniors who currently purchase Combo or Super Combo licenses would be required to purchase separate hunting licenses instead.  The net effect of these revenue adjustments totals $2,752,000 in fiscal year 2016, and increases by 1.45 percent annually based on projected annual growth of the and 65 and older population of the state.

Based on information provided by the Parks and Wildlife Department, the additional transactions necessary as a result of processing separate hunting and fishing licenses for those currently purchasing Senior Combo or Super Combo licenses would total $108,311 in fiscal year 2016.  The table above also reflects an annual 1.45 percent increase in this cost due to the projected annual growth of the 65 and older population. 

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
LBB Staff:
UP, SZ, MWl