Assigned to CANR AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

REVISED FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2015
acquaculture; protecting aquatic environment (NOW: game and fish commission fees)

Purpose

Increases several fees for the Game and Fish Department and Commission, specifies watercraft requiring registration, numbering and licensure are motorized watercraft only, and creates a Joint Legislative Committee to review the Commission's licensing fee increases.

Background

The Game and Fish Department (Department) is responsible for administering state law relating to wildlife. The Game and Fish Commission (Commission) is responsible for directing the Department and establishing broad policies and long-range programs for the management, preservation and harvest of wildlife. The Commission is responsible for developing and administering hunting, trapping and fishing rules and for prescribing the manner and methods that may be used in taking wildlife.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department does not receive any general fund revenues, but is a user-supported agency funded by Heritage Funds and revenues from sportsmen licenses. The Wildlife Conservation Advisory Council reports a need to enhance the flow of revenue to the Department as a result of inflating operating costs and increasing needs for habitat maintenance and improvements. The Department has not increased hunting and fishing license fees since 1988. The revenue received from licenses is deposited into the Game and Fish fund which is used solely to fund the Commission.

There is no discernable fiscal impact to the state general fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Removes Department requirements of registration, numbering and licensure for all nonmotorized watercraft; specifies they apply to motorized watercraft only.

2. Increases the following licensing fees and taxes for nonresident owners of motorized watercraft:

(a) Registration fee from $10 to $20.

(b) License tax per foot length of the watercraft up to and including 18 feet from $1.45 to $2.90 per foot length.

(c) License tax per foot for each foot over 18 feet, from $2.75 to $5.50.

FACT SHEET H.B. 2015 - Revised Page

3. Specifies that back fees are waived for renewal of motorized watercraft registration if more than 12 months have passed since the expiration of the date of last registration or renewal.

4. Increases the following licensing and permit fees:

(a) Class A, general, resident fishing license from $12.00 to $16.00 and general, nonresident fishing license from $38 to $49.50.

(b) Caps the maximum fee for a Class A fishing license issued in November or December at one-half the prescribed amount.

(c) Trout stamp, resident license from $8 to $10.50 and nonresident license from $38 to $49.50.

(d) Class B, nonresident, four month fishing license from $27.50 to $35.50.

(e) Class C, nonresident, five day fishing license from $18.50 to $24.

(f) Class D, nonresident and resident one day fishing license from $8 to $10.50.

(g) Class E, Colorado River, nonresident fishing license from $32.50 to $42.50.

(h) Class F, resident, combination, general hunting and fishing license from $32 to $42, and nonresident license from $135.50 to $175.50.

(i) Urban fishing license for residents and nonresidents, from $14 to $16.

(j) Class G, general, resident hunting license from $18 to $23.50, and general, nonresident hunting license from $85.50 to $111.50.

(k) Class H, three day, nonresident hunting license from $38 to $49.50.

(l) Class I, residential family license is set at the current fee for a class A license and trout stamp ($26.50) for one adult and 80 percent of this fee for a second adult plus a $2.00 surcharge for each adult. A $2.00 fee is set for each child on the license.

(m) Resident javelina and javelina archery tags from $9.50 to $12.50 and nonresident tags from $50.50 to $75.

(n) Resident turkey tags and archery turkey tags from $8.50 to $11 and nonresident tags from $50.50 to $75.

(o) Resident bear tags from $11 to $14.50 and nonresident tags from $150 to $200.

(p) Resident mountain lion tags from $11 to $14.50 and nonresident tags from $150 to $200.

(q) Resident deer and archery deer tags from $14.50 to $19.50 and nonresident tags from $75.50 to $125.50.

(r) Resident antelope tags from $50 to $65 and nonresident tags from $250 to $325.

(s) Resident elk tags from $60 to $75 and nonresident tags from $300 to $400.

(t) Resident bighorn sheep tags from $150 to $195 and nonresident tags from $750 to $1000.

(u) Permit application fee from $3 to $5.

(v) State waterfowl stamp from $5.50 to $7.50.

(w) State migratory bird stamp fee is set at $3.

5. Allows for validation of a class I family fishing license with a two-pole stamp.

6. Allows persons with a one-day, resident or nonresident fishing license, to fish on the Colorado River.

7. Establishes a new state migratory bird stamp and requires the stamp to be issued annually by the Commission, with the expiration occurring from and after June 30.

8. Requires the Commission to prescribe forms and furnish dealers with migratory bird stamps for sale.

9. Specifies a migratory bird stamp is validated by the licensee's signature in ink, across the front of the stamp.

10. Specifies, beginning July 1, 2000, that it is unlawful for persons 16 years or older to take or possess a migratory bird in the field excluding ducks, geese or swans, without possession of a current valid migratory bird stamp.

11. Decreases the computation of lifetime license or trout stamp fees from the maximum fee prescribed for an equivalent annual license for the following ages:

(a) 0 through 13 years, from 23 times to 17 times the maximum fee.

(b) 14 through 29 years, from 24 times to 18 times the maximum fee.

(c) 30 through 44 years, from 22 times to 16 times the maximum fee.

(d) 45 through 61 years, from 20 times to 15 times the maximum fee.

(e) 62 and older, from 10 times to 8 times the maximum fee.

12. Establishes a Class I, resident family fishing license, with trout stamp, applicable to all aquatic wildlife, statewide, except for Commission designated urban waters.

13. Requires that a family fishing license be issued to members of an immediate family residing in the same household.

14. Defines "immediate family" as one adult or two adults who are either married to each other or are the legally appointed guardians or foster parents of the children named on the license, and any children who will be 14 years or older during the license year.

15. Allows the Commission to collect a surcharge of no more than $2 on class B, C, D, H or I licenses to be deposited in the conservation development fund.

16. Repeals the application requirements for fishing contests and event permits.

17. Prohibits the Commission, prior to July 1, 2000, from increasing licensure fees by more than two-thirds of the statutory increases of this act.

18. Establishes a Joint Legislative Review Committee on or before April 15, 2004, to review licensing fees set by the Commission to report to the Legislature on or before December 15, 2004.

19. Requires the Committee to consist of three Senate members appointed by the President of the Senate and three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, and that no more than two members be from the same political party.

20. Repeals the Joint Review Committee on December 31, 2004.

21. Establishes an effective date of September 1, 1999 for the numbering, registration and licensure of motorized watercraft.

22. Makes technical and conforming changes.

23. Contains a Proposition 108 clause.

Amendments Adopted by Committee

1. Exempts all nonmotorized watercraft from the Commission's numbering requirement.

2. Defines an "immediate family" as one adult, or two who are married to each other, all children 14 years of age or older who are the adopted, stepchildren, foster children, or other children for which the adults are legal guardians.

3. Sets the fee for a class I family license at the current fee for a class A license and trout stamp for one adult, 80 percent of this fee for a second adult, a $2 surcharge for each adult, plus a $2 fee for each child on the license.

4. Allows the Commission to collect a surcharge of up to $2.00 on class B, C, D, G and I licenses to be deposited in the conservation development fund.

5. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

1. Specifies that back fees are waived for renewal of motorized watercraft registration if more than 12 months have passed since the expiration of the date of last registration or renewal.

2. Allows validation of a class I family fishing license with a two-pole stamp.

3. Establishes an effective date of September 1, 1999 for the numbering, registration and licensure of motorized watercraft.

House Action Senate Action

AG 2/3/99 DP 5-0-0-1-0 CANR 3/18/99 DPA 6-2-1-0

3rd Read 2/18/99 53-4-3-0 3rd Read 4/14/99 23-6-1-0

Prepared by Senate Staff

April 21, 1999

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