Bill Text: NJ ACR210 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Proposes constitutional amendment to guarantee the people's right to fish, hunt, trap and harvest fish and wildlife.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-12-04 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [ACR210 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2014-ACR210-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 210

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 4, 2014

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  BOB ANDRZEJCZAK

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Proposes constitutional amendment to guarantee the people's right to fish, hunt, trap, and harvest fish and wildlife.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article I of the New Jersey Constitution by adding a new paragraph.

 

     Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

 

     1.    The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

 

     Amend Article I by adding a new paragraph 24 to read as follows:

     24.  Fishing, hunting, trapping, and the harvesting of fish and wildlife are a valued part of the State's heritage and the right of the people to fish, hunt, trap, and harvest fish and wildlife shall be forever guaranteed.  Fish and wildlife shall be managed by laws and regulations that provide persons with the continued opportunity to take, by traditional means and methods, species traditionally pursued by fishermen, hunters, and trappers.  Fish and wildlife management shall be consistent with the State's duty to protect this heritage and to conserve fish and wildlife for the recreational enjoyment of future generations, including but not limited to, fishermen, hunters, and trappers.  The taking of fish and wildlife by fishermen, hunters, and trappers, by traditional means and methods, shall always be a preferred and available way of controlling all invasive or overpopulated species.

 

     2.    When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.

 

     3.    This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

     There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

     a.     In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:

     If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."

     b.    In every municipality the following question:

 

	CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ENSURE THE RIGHT TO FISH, HUNT, TRAP, AND HARVEST FISH AND WILDLIFE
YES	Do you approve amending the Constitution to ensure the people's right to fish, hunt, trap, and harvest fish and wildlife?
	INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
NO	This amendment would make fishing, hunting, trapping, and harvesting of fish and wildlife a constitutional right in the State.  The State would be required to manage fish and wildlife to ensure that fishermen, hunters, and trappers would always be able to take fish and wildlife by traditional means and methods.  The State would also be required to make sure there are enough fish and wildlife for future generations.  Fishing, hunting, and trapping would be the preferred way of controlling invasive or overpopulated species.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This proposed constitutional amendment would make fishing, hunting, trapping, and harvesting of fish and wildlife a constitutional right in the State.  The State would be required to manage fish and wildlife to ensure that fishermen, hunters, and trappers would always be able to take fish and wildlife by traditional means and methods.  The State would also be required to make sure there are enough fish and wildlife for future generations.  Also, the proposed constitutional amendment states that fishing, hunting, and trapping would be the preferred way of controlling invasive or overpopulated species.