Bill: SB 1366, 84(R) - 2015
Committee
Senate Finance
Vote Recommendation
Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
Yes |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Positive |
Neutral |
Author(s)
Lois Kolkhorst
Bill Caption
Relating to the allocation to the Parks and Wildlife Department of the proceeds from taxes imposed on the sale, storage, or use of sporting goods.
Fiscal Notes
A fiscal note dated April 14, 2015 anticipates no significant fiscal implication to the State. It also indicates that the fiscal implications of the bill to local units of government cannot be determined at this time because the amount of Sporting Goods Sales
Tax available for local parks grants would be subject to appropriations.
Bill Analysis
Senate Bill 1366 would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code to provide that the 4 accounts that currently receive Sporting Goods Sales Tax revenues, each receive no more than the amount of the tax proceeds appropriated plus the amount necessary to fund the cost of state contributions for benefits of department employees whose salaries or wages are paid from the account.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Under current law, the Parks and Wildlife accounts that receive Sporting Goods Sales Tax (SGST) revenues receive a percentage of the maximum total amount of 94 percent of the SGST allocated.
Senate Bill 1366 would remove the percentages of allocations applied to each account and limit the allocated amount to the appropriated amounts plus any amount needed to pay for benefits of department employees whose salaries or wages are paid from the account.
Senate Bill 1366 aims at giving the Legislature more flexibility in their appropriations to the different accounts depending on needs. Since this bill can potentially make the appropriations process to the Parks and Wildlife Department more efficient without changing the total amount of SGST allocated, we support this bill.