WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

Senate Joint Resolution 6

By Senators Sypolt, Clements, Rucker, Karnes, Jeffries, Phillips, Hamilton, Romano, Smith, 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 22, relating to the right of farmers and agricultural producers to engage in modern agricultural practices; 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 22, to read as follows:

ARTICLE III. BILL OF RIGHTS.

§22. The right of farmers and agricultural producers to engage in modern agricultural practices.

The Agricultural industry provides vital food, health benefits, and economic support to West Virginia citizens. The right of farmers and agricultural producers to engage in modern agricultural practices shall be forever guaranteed in West Virginia.  No law shall be enacted which abridges the right of West Virginia citizens to employ agricultural technology in the production of food or food products.

Resolved further, That in accordance with the provisions of article eleven, chapter three of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, such amendment is hereby numbered “Amendment No. 1” and designated as the “Right to Farm Amendment” and the purpose of the proposed amendment is summarized as follows: “To protect the right of farmers and agricultural producers to engage in modern agricultural practices”.

NOTE: The purpose of this resolution is to protect the right of farmers and agricultural producers to engage in modern agricultural practices.

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