148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

FEE IMPACT STATEMENT

Bill: HOUSE BILL NO. 401

sponsor: Representative Mulrooney

DESCRIPTION: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LICENSES.

In accordance with 29 Del. C. §913, the following information is provided relating to licenses.

Description of the Legislation

This Act generates revenues needed for statewide wildlife conservation, public access facilities and for the management and maintenance of public wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. This Act increases fees for hunting and trapping licenses and establishes a conservation access pass to be purchased by non-hunters for motor vehicles accessing these public lands. This Act establishes a private license agent service charge for the sale of conservation access passes similar to previously established service charges for the sale of hunting and trapping licenses.

Affected Entities

The 17,369 hunters and 307 trappers licensed in the State of Delaware.

Fiscal Impact Estimate

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control estimates that the fee increases will result in additional revenue in the amount of $551,000 per year. The effective date for the fee increase and the conservation access pass will be July 1, 2017. The fees have increased as follows: resident hunting license from $25 to $39.50, resident trapping license from $3.50 to $10, resident buck tag and antlerless tag from $10 to $20, resident hunting guide license from $100 to $159.50, resident fur dealer from $28.75 to $50, non-resident hunting license from $130 to $199.50, non-resident guide hunting license from $300 to $475, non-resident trapping license from $25 to $75, non-resident three day hunting license from $50 to $75, non-resident buck tag and antlered tag from $25 to $50, resident and non-resident waterfowl stamp from $9 to $15, non-resident fur dealers from $287.50 to $475, breeders permit from $11.50 to $17.50 and propagating permit from $25 to $39.50. The newly established fees for conservation passes for vehicles are as follows: resident annual conservation access pass will be $32.50, non-resident conservation access pass will be $65, resident three day conservation access pass will be $10 and the non-resident three day conservation pass will be $20.

Intended use of Revenue

State wildlife program revenues are insufficient at this time to fully leverage available federal funds. Revenues generated by this Act would be leveraged by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to

obtain federal grant funds at a ratio of $1 of state funds to $3 of federal funds.

Office of Controller General

June 06, 2016

JRG:JRG

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