Colorado Legislative Council Staff

LOCAL

FISCAL NOTE

No State General Fund Impact

Local Government Expenditure Impact

TITLE:            CONCERNING A REDUCTION OF INCENTIVES TO KILL DEPREDATING ANIMALS.

Summary of Legislation

            This bill repeals the bounty to be paid for coyotes and wolves, repeals the procedures for persons to claim bounties, and repeals the requirement for the state treasurer to reimburse the county treasurer for any bounties paid.

            The bill maintains the provision under current law that the Department of Agriculture has exclusive jurisdiction over the control of depredating animals, but requires that any killed depredating animal remain the property of the Division of Wildlife under the Department of Natural Resources. The bill will become effective upon the signature of the Governor.

            The bill will not affect state revenue or expenditures, but will affect local government expenditures. Therefore, the bill is assessed as having a local government fiscal impact.

Local Government Impact

            This bill will reduce county expenditures for bounties to be paid for coyotes and wolves. Current law requires the county treasurer to maintain appropriate records for bounties paid, and authorizes the county treasurer to submit orders to the state treasurer for payment. However, under current practice, very few, if any, orders for payment of bounties have been submitted to the state treasurer.

Spending Authority

            This fiscal note would imply that no new state appropriations or spending authority are required for FY 1998-99 to implement the provisions of this bill

Departments Contacted

            Agriculture     Natural Resources      Local Affairs