Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1891 by Nevárez (Relating to a documented member of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas hunting certain deer.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code to define a member of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas as a resident for hunting purposes. The bill would also authorize a documented member of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas with a valid hunting license to hunt antlerless white-tailed deer for religious ceremonial purposes outside of established hunting seasons after notifying local game wardens at least 24 hours in advance and after giving the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) notice no later than September 1 of intention to hunt antlerless white-tailed deer during the subsequent year. The bill would prohibit a hunter authorized under the provisions of the bill to receive a financial benefit from the actions allowed by the bill. The bill would prohibit hunting outside of established hunting seasons in a chronic wasting disease containment or surveillance zone, and would limit such hunting to land owned or leased by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas in certain counties. Currently, only properties in Maverick County, Starr County, Jim Hogg County, Brooks County, and Kinney County would be included under the provisions of the bill.
Based upon information provided by TPWD, the bill would result in revenue loss of $7,250 each fiscal year to the General Revenue-Dedicated Game, Fish, and Water Safety Account No. 9 (Fund 9) as the bill would allow out-of-state tribal members to purchase resident hunting licenses. The Comptroller's 2018-19 Biennial Revenue Estimate anticipates revenues for Fund 9 in the amounts of $142.6 million for 2018 and $144.5 million for 2019.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.