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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
AMENDED
April 21, 2009
H. 3483
Introduced by Reps. White, M.A. Pitts, Toole, Willis, Barfield, Clemmons, Hardwick and Hearn
S. Printed 4/21/09--H.
Read the first time February 10, 2009.
TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS UNDER THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION, BY ADDING SECTION 25 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HUNTING AND FISHING ARE VALUABLE PARTS OF THE STATE'S HERITAGE, IMPORTANT FOR CONSERVATION, AND A PROTECTED MEANS OF MANAGING NONTHREATENED WILDLIFE, TO PROVIDE THAT THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO HUNT, FISH, AND HARVEST WILDLIFE TRADITIONALLY PURSUED, SUBJECT TO LAWS AND REGULATIONS PRESCRIBED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND TO SPECIFY THAT THIS SECTION MUST NOT BE CONSTRUED TO ABROGATE ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, EXISTING STATE LAWS OR REGULATIONS, OR THE STATE'S SOVEREIGNTY OVER ITS NATURAL RESOURCES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Article I of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding:
"Section 25. The traditions of hunting and fishing are valuable parts of the state's heritage, important for conservation, and a protected means of managing nonthreatened wildlife. The citizens of this State have the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife traditionally pursued, subject to laws and regulations prescribed by the General Assembly. Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate any private property rights, existing state laws or regulations, or the state's sovereignty over its natural resources."
SECTION 2. The proposed amendment in Section 1 must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:
"Must Article I of the Constitution of this State, relating to the declaration of rights under the state's Constitution, be amended by adding Section 25 so as to provide that hunting and fishing are valuable parts of the state's heritage, important for conservation, and a protected means of managing nonthreatened wildlife, to provide that the citizens of South Carolina shall have the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife traditionally pursued, subject to laws and regulations prescribed by the General Assembly, and to specify that this section must not be construed to abrogate any private property rights, existing state laws or regulations, or the state's sovereignty over its natural resources?
Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."
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