HJR 1553

1	House Joint Resolution
2	A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 2 of
3	Article I of the State Constitution, relating to basic
4	rights.
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6	Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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8	That the following amendment to Section 2 of Article I of
9	the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to
10	the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next
11	general election or at an earlier special election specifically
12	authorized by law for that purpose:
13	ARTICLE I
14	DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
15	SECTION 2.  Basic rights.-All natural persons, female and
16	male alike, are equal before the law and have inalienable
17	rights, among which are the right to enjoy and defend life and
18	liberty, to pursue happiness, to be rewarded for industry, and
19	to acquire, possess and protect property; except that the
20	ownership, inheritance, disposition and possession of real
21	property by aliens ineligible for citizenship may be regulated
22	or prohibited by law. No person shall be deprived of any right
23	because of race, religion, national origin, or physical
24	disability.
25	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
26	placed on the ballot:
27	CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
28	ARTICLE I, SECTION 2
29	DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.-This amendment to the State
30	Constitution eliminates authority granted to the Legislature by
31	a constitutional amendment adopted in 1926 which allowed the
32	Legislature to regulate or eliminate the real property rights of
33	individuals based on race or national origin. The Florida
34	Constitution will now state that all natural persons, female and
35	male alike, are equal before the law and have an inalienable
36	right to acquire, possess, and protect property, without
37	exception.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.