HB 1199 — enabling the fish and game department to create a permit and fee for the use of fish and game staff by other state agencies and departments.

CHAPTER 158 HB 1199 - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 19Feb2026...

CHAPTER 158 HB 1199 - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 19Feb2026...

1158:1 New Section;

III.III.All revenues collected under this section shall be deposited in the fish and game fund established under RSA 206:33.

All158:2 revenuesLifetime collectedLicenses. under this section shall be deposited in the fish and game fund established under RSA 206:33.

2 Lifetime Licenses.

The executive director shall establish the discounted amount of such lifetime licenses in rules adopted HB 1199 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - under RSA 541-A, except that the fee for a combination hunting and freshwater fishing lifetime license for a resident who has not yet [reached] passed his or her first birthday shall be set by the executive director as prescribed in paragraph II.

CHAPTER 158 HB 1199 - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - (3) The parent or legal guardian of the applicant shall be a resident pursuant to RSA 207:1, XXIII.

Up to $600,000 of the principal of the prepaid fish and game license fund may be credited to the fish and game modernization and sustainability account in each of the fiscal years 2027 and 2028, and $50,000 shall be credited to the account annually beginning in fiscal year 2029, in a HB 1199 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 3 - single lump sum payment, provided that no such payment shall reduce the balance of the prepaid fish and game license fund below $1,000,000.

CHAPTER 158 HB 1199 - FINAL VERSION - Page 3 - (2) Enhancing digital and operational systems.

3158:3 New Subparagraph;

4158:4 Effective Date.

LBAApproved: 26-2549 04/14/2026 HB 1199-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENTS #2026-1130s AND #2026-1260s) AN ACT enabling the fish and game department to create a permit and fee for the use of fish and game staff by other state agencies and departments.

FISCALJune IMPACT:19, 2026 Effective Date:

EstimatedI. State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Revenue $0 Indeterminable Revenue Fund(s) Fish and Game Fund and Prepaid Fish and Game License Fund Expenditures* $0 Indeterminable Increase Various Agency Funds, Fish and Game Fund (Fish and Game Funding Source(s) Modernization and Sustainability Account) Appropriations* $0 Continually Appropriated to the F&G Department Funding Source(s) Fish and Game Modernization and Sustainability Account *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:

ThisSections bill2-3 makeseffective variousJuly changes,1, related2026 toII. the Fish and Game Department:

SectionRemainder 1effective (EffectiveAugust 6018, Days2026 After Passage)  Authorizes the Fish and Game Department, through rulemaking under RSA 541-A, to establish a permit or fee structure to recover the costs of providing personnel, equipment, or specialized expertise to other state agencies or departments.

o The Department states it cannot project the frequency with which other agencies would request such assistance or the level at which fees would be set.

Accordingly, any resulting revenue to the Department and related expenditures, both for the Department and for requesting agencies, are indeterminable.

Section 2 and 3 (Effective July 1, 2026)  Expands eligibility for the purchase of a discounted newborn lifetime hunting and fishing license by allowing the license to be sold from the date of birth through the child’s first birthday, rather than only up to the day before the first birthday under current law.

o The Department states it cannot reasonably estimate how many parents would choose to purchase a lifetime license on a child’s first birthday.

Accordingly, any change in revenue resulting from this provision is indeterminable.

 Provides that interest earned on the prepaid Fish and Game License Fund in excess of five percent (5%) be treated as unrestricted funds, available for expenditure for any lawful purpose authorized under RSA 206:38.

o The Department states this provision would not change the amount of interest earned, but would change the classification of certain interest earnings from restricted to unrestricted.

As a result, such funds would become available for general departmental use, and the Department assumes any unrestricted funds realized under this provision could be expended as it becomes available.

 Establishes a separate, nonlapsing Fish and Game Modernization and Sustainability Account (“Account”) within the Fish and Game Fund, distinct from existing transfers under RSA 214:9-c, IV and V.

The bill allows up to $600,000 of principal from the prepaid Fish and Game License Fund to be credited to the account in each of FY 2027 and FY 2028.

Beginning in FY 2029, it also provides for a continual annual appropriation of $50,000, credited in a lump sum, provided the prepaid license fund balance is not reduced below $1,000,000.

This account would be continually appropriated to the Department.

o The Department states the Account would support technology and operational modernization initiatives, including implementation of a customer relationship management system intended to improve customer service, increase operational efficiency, and support long-term revenue growth.

The Department assumes the $600,000 transfers in FY 2027 and FY 2028 would be fully expended in those fiscal years.

While the Department cannot quantify the precise revenue gains expected from modernization, it anticipates substantial long-term benefits from improved efficiency and accessibility, noting that comparable technology investments typically recover their costs within approximately 12 to 18 months.

It should be noted this bill does continually appropriate this new Account to the Department, therefore, the Department would not need to request the funds be included in the operating budget or need to come before the Fiscal Committee and Governor and Council to request to accept and budget funds from this Account.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Fish and Game Department