OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact:

Explanation

The bill authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to bill someone who illegally owns or possesses a potentially dangerous animal for the cost of care, confiscation, and maintenance of the animals. This could result in a savings to the state. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is not incurring significant costs at this time for the care, confiscation and maintenance of these animals, however, each case can cost thousands of dollars. There have been very few cases. Providing that the DEP can bill for the costs could result in additional cases, but the overall number of cases is anticipated to be minimal.

Any workload increase incurred by the Department of Environmental Protection due to submittal of proposals to the DEP to administer drugs, pesticides, vaccines and immunocontraceptives to wild animals can be handled within routine agency duties. Submittals to the DEP of plans to take deer or Canadian geese will also be handled within routine functions. The changes in the wildlife management methods and practices contained in the bill could increase agency efficiency. Requiring the Commissioner to document the use of certain wildlife management powers and specifies that this is subject to the Freedom of Information Act will minimally increase the DEP's workload. The overall impact to the DEP due to the broadening of the Commissioner's power with regard to fisheries and wildlife laws is anticipated to be minimal. In many instances, the changes clarify current powers and reflect current practice.

The potential revenue loss to the DEP's Conservation Fund due to the issuance of free private land deer permits is anticipated to be less than $1,000 a year. It is anticipated that a minimal number of people will be exempted under this provision from a $14 fee.

The bill increases certain fines and expands existing prohibitions related to endangered species. The potential revenue gain from infractions and civil penalties is expected to be minimal. It is anticipated that no one would be incarcerated under the bill. The Attorney General's office would be able to handle cases referred to it under the bill without the need for additional appropriations.

Municipal Impact:

Any potential workload increase to municipalities due to the submittal of plans to the DEP is anticipated to be handled within the routine duties of the municipality. Changes in the wildlife management practices for the taking of deer and Canadian geese could increase efficiency and potentially result in a minimal savings to impacted towns. The exact impact is unknown.

House "A" sets conditions for administering drugs, pesticides, vaccines and immunocontraceptives to wild animals and changes wildlife management practices and plans and has a minimal impact.

House "B" concerns the issuance of free private deer permits and results in a minimal revenue loss.

House "C" requires documentation of wildlife management powers and results in a minimal workload increase.