H 3202 Joint Resolution, By White, Umphlett, Agnew, Gambrell, E.H. Pitts, Cotty, 
M.A. Pitts, Bedingfield, Frye, Toole, Loftis, Lowe, Harrell, Shoopman and 
G.R. Smith
 A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION OF
 SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, BY ADDING SECTION
 25, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT BECAUSE HUNTING AND FISHING ARE IMPORTANT FOR
 CONSERVATION AND ARE VALUABLE PARTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA´S HERITAGE, THE CITIZENS
 OF SOUTH CAROLINA SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO HUNT, FISH, AND HARVEST WILDLIFE
 SUBJECT TO SUCH RESTRICTIONS AND REGULATIONS AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
 PRESCRIBES BY LAW AND TO SPECIFY THAT THIS PROVISION MUST NOT BE CONSTRUED TO
 ABROGATE ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, EXISTING STATE LAWS OR REGULATIONS, OR
 THE STATE´S SOVEREIGNTY OVER ITS NATURAL RESOURCES.

   01/09/07  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-101
   01/09/07  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-102
   01/11/07  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Cotty
   05/08/07  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor:
                     M.A.Pitts, Bedingfield
   05/16/07  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Frye
   05/17/07  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Toole, Loftis
   01/30/08  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Judiciary HJ-6
   01/31/08  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Lowe,
                     Harrell, Shoopman, G.R.Smith
   01/31/08  House  Amended HJ-42
   01/31/08  House  Read second time HJ-47
   01/31/08  House  Roll call Yeas-92  Nays-0 HJ-47
   01/31/08  House  Unanimous consent for third reading on next
                     legislative day HJ-47
   02/01/08  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-3
   02/05/08  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-14
   02/05/08  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-14
   02/11/08  Senate Referred to Subcommittee: Martin (ch), Malloy,
                     Campsen, Williams, Massey
   03/26/08  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Judiciary SJ-16
   05/28/08  Senate Committee Amendment Amended and Adopted SJ-126
   05/29/08         Scrivener's error corrected

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT AMENDED AND ADOPTED

May 28, 2008

H. 3202

Introduced by Reps. White, Umphlett, Agnew, Gambrell, E.H. Pitts, Cotty, M.A. Pitts, Bedingfield, Frye, Toole, Loftis, Lowe, Harrell, Shoopman and G.R. Smith

S. Printed 5/28/08--S.    [SEC 5/29/08 1:55 PM]

Read the first time February 5, 2008.

TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, BY ADDING SECTION 25, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT BECAUSE HUNTING AND FISHING ARE IMPORTANT FOR CONSERVATION AND ARE VALUABLE PARTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S HERITAGE, THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO HUNT, FISH, AND HARVEST WILDLIFE SUBJECT TO SUCH RESTRICTIONS AND REGULATIONS AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESCRIBES BY LAW AND TO SPECIFY THAT THIS PROVISION 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 non-threatened 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 non-threatened wildlife, 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'."