SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2309

with Senate committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 11, 1997

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2309 with amendments.

      Senate Bill No. 2309, as amended, revises the fees for various hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and stamps as well as makes various revisions to the laws establishing those licenses, permits, and stamps.

       Under the bill, youths above 10 years and below 16 years of age would be able to obtain free hunting licenses and youths below 16 years of age would not need a license to fish. The bill also repeals certain provisions of the woodcock stamp law. In addition, it authorizes the Division of Fish and Wildlife to collect a new $2.00 fee from migratory bird hunters for the purpose of meeting the costs of complying with information collection activities mandated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program. Finally, the bill changes the name of the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife to the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

      These fees were last increased by statute in 1991 and then increased by 10% in 1993 by administrative regulation.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill with the approval of the sponsor to correct errors concerning two fees, to clarify language concerning certain age requirements and to clarify intent.

FISCAL IMPACT

       According to the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, the division estimates that the bill would generate $2.8 million in additional net revenues in 1998 and thereafter.