We bring you this special edition of our eNewsletter to provide useful information about the constitutional amendments on the November 2024 ballot. We hope this helps as you consider the pros and cons of these amendments and how you choose to vote.
There are four ways to amend the current Florida Constitution, which was ratified in 1968. These include: (1) joint resolution by the Florida Legislature; (2) proposal before the Florida Constitution Revision Commission; (3) citizens’ initiative; and (4) proposal before the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
This year, there are six proposed amendments, including two by citizens’ initiative, and four by the Florida Legislature. The two amendments placed on the ballot through petitions (i.e., a citizens’ initiative) are Amendments 3 and 4. The four amendment resolutions introduced and passed by the Legislature include Amendments 1, 2, 5 and 6. Below is an outline of the proposals. To review the actual wording of each amendment, please click on the highlighted amendment number.
Amendment 2 – Right to Fish and Hunt
The proposed amendment contains two provisions. One would provide and preserve forever a state constitutional right to hunt and fish. The second would declare that hunting and fishing are the preferred means of “responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.”
Supporters say a right to hunt or fish would make it substantially more difficult for attempts by the state to ban or restrict the hunting or fishing of species of animals. It would protect individuals’ rights to gaming and sporting and would enshrine these activities in the state constitution.Opponents are concerned that science-based methods of managing and controlling wildlife and fish will become secondary to hunting and fishing. The phrase “traditional methods” (contained in the language) could be interpreted as a return to currently prohibited methods of hunting and fishing, such as steel traps, spearfishing and gill nets. They also say that an existing statute, passed in 2002, already protects the right to hunt and fish.