Bill Description: House Bill 235 increases several hunting fees.

Rating: -2

Analyst Note: House Bill 235 is similar to House Bill 9. Both bills create a separate "sage grouse tag" replacing the combined "sage/sharptail grouse permit." House Bill 9 would set the sage grouse tag fees at the same rate as the current combined permit. The current permit model allows statewide hunting while the tag-based model is more restrictive. 

Does it directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, fees, or other assessments? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce any taxes, fees, or other assessments?

House Bill 235 amends Section 36-409, Idaho Code, to substantially increase the fees for sage grouse hunters. While the current combined "sage/sharptail grouse permit" costs $4.00 for state residents and $4.50 for out-of-state hunters, the new sage grouse tag (which is more restrictive in terms of where sage grouse hunting is allowed) will cost $21.00 for state residents and $72.50 for out-of-state hunters.

This is a 425% increase for state residents and a 1,511% increase for out-of-state hunters.

(-1)

In addition to imposing astronomical fee increases on sage grouse hunters, House Bill 235 further amends Section 36-409, Idaho Code, to increase fees for out-of-state hunters who purchase a swan tag or a sharptail grouse permit (formerly, the combined permit.) Ironically, even as the sharptail grouse permit's utility is reduced, its price goes up from $4.50 to $16.00 for out-of-state hunters. This is a 256% increase.

Swan tags for out-of-state hunters increase from $65.75 to $72.50, a 10.3% increase. 

(-1)