LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

SENATE, No. 123

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED June 5, 1996

      Senate Bill No. 123 of 1996 increases the fees for New Jersey Waterfowl Stamps from $5.00 to $10.00 for nonresident hunters and from $2.50 to $5.00 for resident hunters. The increased rates would also apply to any persons who wish to purchase these stamps for collection purposes only. Revenues from the purchase of these stamps are utilized exclusively by the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife for the acquisition, protection, maintenance, improvement, and enhancement of waterfowl habitats and associated wetlands.

      The Office of Legislative Services estimates that if the same number of waterfowl stamps are purchased after the bill is enacted, the program's annual revenue level of approximately $170,000 will double to $340,000. These funds are dedicated to the department in an off-budget account for the aforementioned purposes and are therefore not subject to the annual appropriations process.

      The legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.