A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to amend the north carolina constitution to protect the right TO hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article I of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 38.  Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife.
The right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, shall not be infringed, subject to laws and regulations to promote wildlife conservation and management, to maintain natural resources in trust for public use, and to preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Public hunting and fishing shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. Nothing herein shall be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent domain, trespass, or property rights."
SECTION 2.  The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State at a statewide general election to be held on November 8, 2016, which election shall be conducted under the laws then governing elections in the State. Ballots, voting systems, or both may be used in accordance with Chapter 163 of the General Statutes. The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be:
"[ ] FOR	[ ] AGAINST
Constitutional amendment providing that the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is protected subject to laws and regulations to conserve and manage the State's natural resources."
SECTION 3.  If a majority of the votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the State Board of Elections shall certify the amendment to the Secretary of State, who shall enroll the amendment so certified among the permanent records of that office. The amendment becomes effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2017.
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.