Archery Stamp - Where does the money go?

[BOBSTER]

In the past, it could be used for whatever they needed funds for. No particular thing. One thing to remember is that TPWD is not asking proposing changes to where any of the funds go from the stamps, just on doing the survey every third year instead of every year. But there is nothing that says you can not make a comment on how you would like to see the funds spent.
Bob

[Hot4huntin]

The Archery Stamp was the first revenue stamp and the funds have historically been placed in Fund 9 (Game, Fish, and Water Safety Account) and have been spent for any purpose authorized for that account. The archery stamp was also passed through the Legislature. When the newer stamps were implemented by TPWD, they funds were earmarked to be utilized in a way directly related to the stamp. Changes in usage of the stamp revenue is not being proposed, but I agree now would be a good time to comment on how the funds from the archery stamp are spent by TPWD.

Proposed changes:

The proposed amendment would alter the title of the section and implement a new schedule for conducting the surveys used to determine stamp utilization by purchasers of super combination (hereafter, “supercombo”) license packages, and shift to use of averages to estimate utilization of each stamp

Under current rule, the department conducts an annual survey of stamp utilization by purchasers of the supercombo licenses, which is used to allocate supercombo revenue to individual stamp funds. Trends show that there is little variation in survey results from year to year. The proposed amendment would eliminate the annual survey requirement and replace it with a requirement for the survey to be conducted at three-year intervals. In addition, the proposed amendment would specify that the calculation would be performed using an average of the survey results from the most recent three, four or five surveys, rather than the survey results from one year only.

Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 50 requires the commission to allocate net revenue to individual stamp funds for the sale of stamps included in combination license packages. The current rule addresses only supercombo licenses. The department also sells combination hunting and fishing license packages (a hunting license, a fishing license, and either the saltwater fishing stamp or the freshwater fishing stamp or both). The current rule does not address those packages because the department allocates the full cost of the respective stamp (i.e., saltwater and/or freshwater) to the respective stamp fund on a per-sale basis; however, the proposed amendment would note that allocation for the sake of clarity and compliance with statutory requirements. The proposed amendment also would retitle the section to accurately reflect the contents of the section.

[Hot4huntin]

It will also be an action item at the next TPWD Commission meeting on March 31st.

Action
Combination and Super-Combination License Rules
Stamp Fund Allocation Methodology
March 31, 2011

I. Executive Summary: This item seeks adoption of a proposed amendment that would alter the stamp-allocation methodology for revenues from the sale of combination and super-combination licenses.

II. Discussion: Under Parks and Wildlife Code, §50.001, the Commission is required to allocate net revenue to individual stamp funds from the sale of stamps that are included in a combination license package. By statute, the methodology must incorporate the proportionate discounted price of each stamp, the estimated utilization of each stamp, or a combination of those methods. Under current rule (31 TAC §53.130), the department conducts an annual survey of stamp utilization and uses that data to allocate combination license revenue to individual stamp funds. The current rule has been in effect since 2006. Trends over the last five years show that there is little variation in survey results from year to year. The proposed changes to the current rule would replace the current annual survey with a survey conducted once every three years and would base the allocation on an average of the survey results from the most recent three, four, or five surveys.

At the January 2011 meeting of the Finance Committee, staff received permission to publish proposed changes to the current rule in the Texas Register for public comment. The proposed amendment was published in the February 25, 2011, issue of the Texas Register (36 TexReg 1232). Staff will present a summary of public comment, if any, at the time of the meeting.

III. Recommendation: Staff recommends the Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts an amendment to 31 TAC 53.130, concerning Combination and Super Combination License Packages, with changes as necessary to the proposed text as published in the February 25, 2011 issue of the Texas Register (36 TexReg 1232).”

[Ronny]

Originally Posted by BOBSTER

In the past, it could be used for whatever they needed funds for. No particular thing. One thing to remember is that TPWD is not asking proposing changes to where any of the funds go from the stamps, just on doing the survey every third year instead of every year. But there is nothing that says you can not make a comment on how you would like to see the funds spent.
Bob

Thanks Bob, thats what I thought.