Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3481 by Goldman (Relating to a fishing license fee waiver for certain residents.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3481, 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 relating to fees for fishing licenses. The bill would require the Parks and Wildlife Department to waive the fee for Texas residents age 65 and over and would allow the agency to waive or reduce the fee for nonresidents age 65 and over.
The bill 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 (TPWD), 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.
Currently, all out-of-state residents pay the same fee for nonresident fishing licenses, including those age 65 and over. Based on information provided by TPWD, the impact of the bill on revenue from nonresident license fees cannot be determined.
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