Archery Stamp - Where does the money go?

[Bossbowman]

Does anyone have a problem with the way TPWD is proposing to use money allocated from the archery stamp, there is a new proposal out there to have money allocated from various stamps (freshwater fishing stamp, saltwater fishing stamps, migratory game bird stamp, upland game bird stamp, archery stamp). As a result, the net proceeds from the sale of each stamp, except for the archery stamp, are to be used in a way that is directly related to the type of stamp sold. It might just be me but I feel like us archers might be getting the short end of the stick on this deal. Seems to me money from the archery stamp should be going to things like the archery in schools program among other things that might promote wildlife habitat utilized by archers. As a card carrying member I would like to see the LSBA get involved with this.

Here is a direct quote from the wording

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (the department) proposes an amendment to §53.130, concerning Super-Combination License Revenue Allocation.

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 Parks and Wildlife Code, §11.302, all revenue received from the sale of all types of hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and stamps must be placed in the Game, Fish, and Water Safety Account. Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 43, further specifies how the department deposits and spends the proceeds from the sale of each type of stamp. Under §43.405, the net receipts from the sale of saltwater fishing stamps shall be spent for coastal fisheries enforcement and management. Under §43.656, the net proceeds from the sale of the migratory game bird stamp may be used only for the management of and research concerning migratory game birds; the acquisition, lease, or development of migratory game bird habitats; contracts, donations, and grants; and only in a manner that addresses the needs of migratory birds in this state. Under §43.658, the net proceeds from the sale of the upland game bird stamp may be used only for the management of and research concerning upland game birds; the acquisition, lease, or development of upland game bird habitats; contracts, donations, and grants; and only in a manner that addresses the needs of upland game birds in this state. Under §43.805, the net receipts from freshwater fishing stamp sales may be spent only for the repair, maintenance, renovation, or replacement of freshwater fish hatcheries in this state; the purchase of game fish that are stocked into the public water of this state; or the restoration, enhancement, or management of freshwater fish habitats. The net proceeds from the archery stamp must be deposited in the Game, Fish, and Water Safety Account and may be spent for any purpose authorized for that account. As a result, the net proceeds from the sale of each stamp, except for the archery stamp, are to be used in a way that is directly related to the type of stamp sold.

[Bossbowman]

Parks and wildlife is taking online public comment on this proposal until March 30th here http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business...licenses.phtml , I will let them know I disagree specifically on the proposal as written considering I still will not know where my money from the archery stamp is going.

[BOBSTER]

Bossbowman, you are right, now is the time to make comment on it to see if it could be used for archery related events. Bob

[Ronny]

What has it been spent on in the past?

[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.

[axisbuck24]

Comment placed in appropriate box but not sure how much good it will do.

[DoubleB20]

I requested an additional modification of archery stamp proceeds as well as requested they pick either three, four or five year average. I think the ability to pick from the three choices leaves it too ambigous. There's a bean counter somewhere that will do the averages on each and pick which one best benefits his personal opinion. Just pick one and leave it at that. We'll see what happens. Thanks for pointing this out for us.

[Tomme]

Can we make a proposal that archery stamp money ONLY be used to underwrite archery hunts on public lands and/or archery youth hunts? That would seem to be a higher and better use of the funding.

I've long wondered why there were not more "public drawn archery hunts" in times apporaching the rut and on weekends. If the hunts were "paid for" from our archery stamp money, perhaps there could be more of them.

[Bossbowman]

Would someone here who has also has an account @ TBH mind posting this info over on the green screen, might get more eyes over there. Understand this the proposal is not for where the money for the archery stamp goes but like, but making a comment won't hurt.

[biggen]

Posted it on TBH yesterday but already on page four and only 27 hits!! Hmmmm

[Hot4huntin]

Below is a letter sent to TPWD.

March 30, 2011

VIA FACSIMILE NUMBER (512) 389-4814

The Honorable Carter Smith
Executive Director
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, Texas 78744

The Honorable Peter M. Holt
Chairman
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
3302 W.W. White Road
San Antonio, Texas 78222

The Honorable T. Dan Friedkin
Vice-Chairman
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
109 North Post Oak, Lane Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77024

The Honorable Mark E. Bivins
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
414 South Polk Street
Amarillo, Texas 79101

The Honorable Ralph H. Duggis
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
600 West Sixth, Suite 300
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

The Honorable Antonio Falcon, M.D.
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
2768 Pharmacy Road
Rio Grande City, Texas 78582

The Honorable Karen J. Hixon
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
111 West Lynwood
San Antonio, Texas 78212

The Honorable Dan Allen Hughes, Jr.
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
Post Office Box 14
Beeville, Texas 78104

The Honorable Margaret Martin
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
215 West Bandera Road, Suite 114-619
Boerne, Texas 78006

The Honorable S. Reed Morian
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
300 Jackson Hill
Houston, Texas 77007

The Honorable Lee Marshall Bass
Chairman-Emeritus
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
201 Main Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

RE: Revenue from the Archery Stamp Endorsement

Dear Executive Director Smith and the Honorable Commissioners

Pursuant to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s recent request for public comment concerning the Super Combination License Packet proposal, the Lone Star Bowhunters Association’s would like to offer the following:

The Lone Star Bowhunters Association is in agreement with the changes to the frequency of the surveys as proposed. However, the LSBA is the State bowhunting association which originally approached TPWD approximately 36 years ago and asked that the bowhunters of Texas be taxed in the form of a revenue stamp for a special archery only season in the majority of the counties of Texas. The Archery Stamp was enacted by the 64th Texas Legislature leading the way to the Special Archery Only


Season. In 2003, the LSBA on behalf of the bowhunters of Texas fought to keep the Archery Stamp when TPWD has proposed doing away with same; thus providing TPWD further revenue. For 36 years, the revenue generated by the Archery Stamp and/or its inclusion in the Super Combo Licenses has gone directly into Fund 9 to be utilized at TPWD’s discretion. I applaud the fine job TPWD has done with these funds to date.

With urban sprawl and the growing popularity of bowhunting in Texas, the Lone Star Bowhunters Association is requesting that a portion of future revenue collected from the Archery Stamp be utilized in a manner which is directly related to preserving and promoting bowhunting and/or archery, as does the revenue from the other endorsement stamps directly benefits their purpose. Currently, TPWD offers and/or supports several archery and bowhunting related projects in which the funds can be utilized, including, but not limited to National Archery in Schools Programs, Becoming an Outdoors Woman and Texas Outdoor Family archery instruction, urban bowhunting,
archery only public land hunts, etc. The LSBA would like to see these programs continue despite the current State budget cuts.

The Lone Star Bowhunters Association respectfully requests that TPWD and its Commission consider utilizing a portion of the revenue generated from the Archery Stamp and/or its inclusion with the Super Combo license packet in a manner which is directly related to preserving and promoting bowhunting and/or archery in the great State of Texas. The LSBA recognizes and appreciates the general benefits provided to both hunters and fishermen, both directly and indirectly, from the funding of the Game, Fish and Water Safety Account. Accordingly, we ask that the remainder of the revenue from the Archery Stamp and/or the inclusion of the endorsement in the Super Combo License, not going directly to archery, continue to be utilized to preserve and promote the heritage of hunting and fishing in Texas, while preserving the natural resources of the State through education, enforcement and conservation.

Your consideration in this matter is appreciated. If you have any questions, comments or would like to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Yours in bowhunting,


DENA KANA
President
Lone Star Bowhunters Assn.
denakana@gmail.com
(409) 739-2630

[rtread]

Very well written letter, Dena. I can't see how their response could be anything less than favorable!