NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Moore

 

DATE TYPED:

02/19/03

 

HB

860

 

SHORT TITLE:

Bighorn Sheep Habitat Improvement

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Valenzuela

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

$100.0

 

 

Recurring

Game Protection Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Legislative Finance Committee files

 

Responses Received From

Department of Game and Fish

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 860 appropriates $100.0 from the Game Protection Fund to Department of Game and Fish for the purpose of funding additional bighorn sheep habitat improvement and management projects.

 

     Significant Issues

 

Every year, DGF issues two bighorn sheep enhancement permits to an incorporated nonprofit organization involved in wildlife conservation, where one permit is to be sold at auction to the highest bidder and one to be sold in a lottery. All money collected from the issuance and sale of the bighorn sheep enhancement permits is deposited into the Big Game Enhancement fund, which is a subsidiary account to the Game Protection Fund. The money is to be used exclusively for bighorn sheep preservation, restoration and management. 

 

For the past three years, these licenses have been highly sought after, as measured by the prices paid in auction and lottery. For 2000, the auction permit brought in $85,000 while the lottery was sold for $40,000.  For 2001, the auction permit brought in $75,000 while the lottery was sold for $45,000.  For 2002, the auction permit brought in $157,500 while the lottery was sold for $75,000.

 

In its FY04 budget request, the LFC supported the DGF request in this program to spend $474.4 for bighorn sheep preservation, restoration and management. HB 860 would increase this budget by $100.0. The Big Game Enhancement Fund has sufficient cash balance to absorb the increase.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $100.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the Game Protection Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the Game Protection Fund.

 

MFV/njw:yr