HJR 43 -- BIRD, FISH, WILDLIFE, AND FORESTRY RESOURCES

SPONSOR:  Dethrow

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 8 to 1 with 1
present.

This proposed constitutional amendment requires, upon voter
approval, a two-thirds majority for voter approval of initiative
proposals relating to harvesting bird, fish, wildlife, or
forestry resources.  Measures that repeal initiative proposals
previously approved by voters will require only a simple
majority.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost to General Revenue Fund of $52,560
in FY 2007, $0 in FY 2008, and $0 in FY 2009.  No impact on Other
State Funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that different groups have the
ability to organize initiative ballot measures to take away the
Department of Conservation's authority to control and manage
fish, forestry, and wildlife.  The bill will give the Department
of Conservation the ability to continue managing forestry and
wildlife services and programs.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Dethrow; Conservation
Federation of Missouri; Missouri Federation of Animal Owners;
Missouri Farm Bureau; National Wild Turkey Federation; and Jerry
Presley.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it will restrict
voters' rights.  Initiative petitions are a way for citizens to
express their voice, and one group should not be excluded.

Testifying against the bill were Sierra Club; and Missouri
Alliance for Animal Legislation.

Kristina Jenkins, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:46 am