On this fall’s ballot there will be six amendments to the Florida Constitution:
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- Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards - read more
- Right to Fish and Hunt - this blog
- Adult Personal Use of Marijuana - read more
- Amendment To Limit Government Interference with Abortion - read more
- Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions – read more
- Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement - read more
Amendment 2 Summary
“Fishing and Hunting: Proposes amendment to State Constitution to preserve forever fishing, hunting, & taking of fish & wildlife as public right & preferred means of managing & controlling fish & wildlife; specifies amendment does not limit authority of FWCC.” myfloridahouse.gov
From James Madison Institute:
"Constitutional Merit: This measure is not a reform that can be addressed by the State Legislature and thus requires a constitutional ballot initiative in order to be implemented."
Why is this on the ballot?
Some climate-change and environmental activists claim that hunting and fishing are a threat to wildlife. Legislators fear federal or other legislation could attempt to control public access to traditional hunting and fishing.
The impetus may be initiatives such as the one in Oregon that would have banned hunting and fishing because “animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, stress, and fear.”
On the other hand, Naples Republican Rep. Lauren Melo who sponsored the bill said “HJR 1157 is about the heritage of Florida.”
What does a “yes” vote mean?
The positive expectations of the bill are to:
- Protect the right of residents to rely on fishing for livelihood.
- Preserve Florida’s cultural heritage and traditions.
- Maintain the economic value of over $15 billion from sportfishing industry. Florida is the fishing capital of the world.
- Hunting and fishing licenses provide conservation funding.
- Does not undermine laws and authority of the FL Wildlife Conservation Commission.
- Property rights are already protected.
What does a “no” vote mean?
Voting “no” on amendment 2 is a vote not to protect the citizens' rights to hunt and fish.
The reasons offered by opponents are:
- Environmental activists claim pain & suffering to animals.
- They do not believe hunting and fishing is the best way to manage or control wildlife.
- They worry about extinction of certain species.
- They fear this removes protection to private property.
Convention of States
Predicting the future has a track record about as good as the last forecast. Unintended consequences are always a hidden danger. Human understanding is limited and easily confused without adding the problem of making intentionally misleading promises that deliver the opposite. As a very clear example think about how defunding the police has not lead to community harmony and stability.
Convention of States exists to alert and activate an informed citizenry. COS volunteers work to educate citizens about the potential implications of proposed changes to existing laws.
We hope you will read more about the upcoming amendments and be prepared to vote your values.
