Bill Text: WV HJR14 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Right to Hunt and Fish in West Virginia Amendment

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-10 - To House Agriculture and Natural Resources [HJR14 Detail]

Download: West_Virginia-2018-HJR14-Introduced.html

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WEST virginia Legislature

2017 regular session

Introduced

House Joint Resolution 14

By Delegates Sponaugle, Marcum, Hicks, Hamilton and Phillips

[ Introduced February 13, 2017;
 Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Judiciary]

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia amending Article III thereof, by adding thereto a new section, designated section 23 relating to the right to hunt and fish; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment.

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia, two-thirds of the members elected to each house agreeing thereto:

That the question of ratification or rejection of an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia be submitted to the voters of the state at the next general election to be held in the year 2018, which proposed amendment is that article III thereof be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section 23, to read as follows:

ARTICLE III.  BILL OF RIGHTS.

§23.  Right to hunt and fish.

The people have a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, subject to reasonable laws and regulations to promote wildlife conservation and management and to preserve the future of hunting and fishing.  Public hunting and fishing shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. This section may not be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent domain, trespass, or property rights.

Resolved further, That in accordance with the provisions of article eleven, chapter three of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, such proposed amendment is hereby numbered "Amendment No. 1" and designated as the "Right to Hunt and Fish in West Virginia Amendment" and the purpose of the proposed amendment is summarized as follows:  "The purpose of this amendment is to protect the right of West Virginians to hunt and fish and to ensure access to hunting and fishing for future generations."

NOTE:  The purpose of this resolution is to protect the right of West Virginians to hunt and fish and to ensure access to hunting and fishing for future generations.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present Constitution, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.