WEST virginia Legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

Senate Joint Resolution 5

By Senators Karnes, Rucker, Clements, Jeffries, Phillips, Romano, Maroney, and Unger

[Introduced February 18, 2021; referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary; and then to the Committee on Finance]

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, amending article III thereof, by adding thereto a new section, designated section 23, relating to the right to farm and ranch; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment.

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia, two thirds of the members elected to each house agreeing thereto:

That the question of ratification or rejection of an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia be submitted to the voters of the state at the next general election to be held in the year 2022, which proposed amendment is that article III thereof, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section 23, to read as follows:

ARTICLE III.  BILL OF RIGHTS.

§23. Right to Farm and Ranch.

The right of farmers and ranchers to engage in natural, traditional, or modern farming and ranching practices is forever guaranteed in this state.

Resolved further, That in accordance with the provisions of article 11, chapter 3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, such amendment is hereby numbered “Amendment No. 1” and designated as the “Right to Farm and Ranch Amendment” and the purpose of the proposed amendment is summarized as follows: “To add a new section to article III of the West Virginia Constitution, to recognize the right of citizens of West Virginia to farm and ranch”.

NOTE: The purpose of this resolution is to propose an amendment to the Constitution to guarantee the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in natural, traditional, or modern farming or ranching practices in the state.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.