HCS HJR 5 -- RIGHT TO HUNT, FISH, AND HARVEST WILDLIFE

SPONSOR:  Weter (Pollock)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Rural
Community Development by a vote of 12 to 0.

Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment
guarantees a citizen's personal right to hunt, fish, and harvest
wildlife using traditional devices or methods and prohibits any
law or any rule or regulation from unreasonably restricting these
activities.  Public hunting and fishing must be the preferred
means of controlling wildlife, and these provisions cannot be
construed to modify any laws regarding trespassing or property
rights.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect on General Revenue Fund of an
income of $0 or a cost of More than $7,000,000 in FY 2012, an
income of $0 to a cost of More than $7,000,000 in FY 2013, and an
income of $0 in FY 2014.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY
2012, FY 2013, and FY 2014.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is designed to be
proactive by ensuring that the right to hunt and fish is not
encroached upon as a result of influence by groups outside of
Missouri attempting to control conservation policy in Missouri.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Pollock; National
Rifle Association of America; Missouri Pork Association; Missouri
Farm Bureau; Missouri Federation of Animal Owners; and Missouri
Family Network.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
96th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 9, 2011 at 1:29 pm