LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7624 NOTE PREPARED: Jan 16, 2025
BILL NUMBER: HB 1619 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Sale of Venison.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Lindauer BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill permits a person to sell venison from a deer taken in Indiana if certain
requirements are met.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Current law prohibits the sale of venison from wild deer. The bill
allows these sales if certain processing and labeling requirements are met. However, the bill only allows the
sale of venison from deer taken and processed in Indiana, which could have an indeterminate impact to the
state in regards to interstate commerce.
The Natural Resources Commission should be able to adopt rules to implement the bill’s provisions using
existing staffing and resources.
Additional Information: The bill should not increase workload for the Board of Animal Health for
inspections of meat and poultry harvesting and processing facilities as current law only requires processors
of livestock and poultry to be inspected [Per IC 15-17-2-47, the definition of “livestock” includes farm
raised, but not wild, cervidae.]
If a hunter who would have previously donated a deer to the DNR’s Hunt for Hunger program chooses to
sell the venison, expenditures from the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund could be reduced. The Sportsmen’s
Benevolence Fund pays the fees for processing a donated deer, and the meat is then donated to area food
banks. The fund receives donation revenue and received an appropriation from the state General Fund of
$145,000 for FY 2024 and $145,000 for FY 2025.
Explanation of State Revenues: Revenues could increase for the Fish and Wildlife Fund if additional
individuals purchase deer hunting licenses. A deer license is $39 for each season (resident, bonus antlerless,
or nonresident) or $240 for a nonresident deer license. A resident deer license bundle is $91 and $550 for
a nonresident. A deer license bundle can be used in all deer seasons (cannot be used to satisfy deer reduction
HB 1619 1 zone bag limits), but limits the harvest to two antlerless deer and one antlered deer.
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Natural Resources
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources: State Comptroller’s Data; Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual;
https://www.in.gov/boah/files/2024-MPI-Establishments.pdf;
https://www.in.gov/boah/files/meat-inspection-flow-chart-COLOR.pdf;
https://www.in.gov/boah/files/Meat_and_Poultry_Buyers_Guide_2020.pdf;
https://www.in.gov/dnr/law-enforcement/sportsmens-benevolence-fund/
https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/licenses-and-permits/license-fees/
https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/licenses-and-permits/permits-commercial-licenses/commercial-deer-processors/
Fiscal Analyst: Heather Puletz, 317-234-9484.
HB 1619 2