ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 94

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  MARIA RODRIGUEZ-GREGG

District 8 (Atlantic, Burlington and Camden)

Assemblyman  CHRISTOPHER J. BROWN

District 8 (Atlantic, Burlington and Camden)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Rumana

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Proposed constitutional amendment to preserve right of people to hunt, fish and harvest game subject to certain regulations.

 

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

  

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 23 to read as follows:

     23.  The people have the right to hunt, fish and harvest game, subject to reasonable regulations.  Consistent with the public trust to conserve birds, fish, game and wildlife, traditional methods may be used to take non-threatened species traditionally pursued.  Public hunting and fishing shall be the preferred means of managing and controlling non-threatened wildlife.  Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify any provision of common law or statutes relating to trespass, eminent domain, or any other property rights.

 

     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 PRESERVE THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO HUNT, FISH AND HARVEST GAME
	YES	Shall the proposed amendment to Article I of the State Constitution, agreed to by the Legislature, preserving the right of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game subject to reasonable regulations, be approved?
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	Approval of this amendment would make hunting, fishing and harvesting game a constitutionally protected right in the State.  The right to hunt, fish and harvest game would be subject to reasonable regulations.  Traditional methods may be used to take non-threatened species traditionally pursued so long as they are consistent with the public trust to conserve birds, fish, game and wildlife.  Public hunting and fishing would be the preferred means of managing and controlling non-threatened wildlife.  Nothing in the amendment would modify any provision of common law or statutory law relating to trespass, eminent domain, or any other property rights.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     The proposed constitutional amendment would create a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest game subject to reasonable regulations.  The amendment would also require that, consistent with the public trust to conserve birds, fish, game and wildlife, traditional methods may be used to take non-threatened species traditionally pursued.  Public hunting and fishing would be the preferred means of managing and controlling non-threatened wildlife.  Nothing in the amendment would be construed to modify any provision of common law or statutory law relating to trespass, eminent domain, or any other property rights.