| 1 | House Joint Resolution |
| 2 | A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 7 of |
| 3 | Article II of the State Constitution to prohibit drilling |
| 4 | or exploration for oil or natural gas within sovereignty |
| 5 | submerged lands and within a specified distance offshore |
| 6 | and to direct the Legislature to enact enforcing |
| 7 | legislation. |
| 8 |
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| 9 | Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 10 |
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| 11 | That the following amendment to Section 7 of Article II of |
| 12 | the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to |
| 13 | the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next |
| 14 | general election or at an earlier special election specifically |
| 15 | authorized by law for that purpose: |
| 16 | ARTICLE II |
| 17 | GENERAL PROVISIONS |
| 18 | SECTION 7. Natural resources and scenic beauty.-- |
| 19 | (a) It shall be the policy of the state to conserve and |
| 20 | protect its natural resources and scenic beauty. Adequate |
| 21 | provision shall be made by law for the abatement of air and |
| 22 | water pollution and of excessive and unnecessary noise and for |
| 23 | the conservation and protection of natural resources. |
| 24 | (b) Those in the Everglades Agricultural Area who cause |
| 25 | water pollution within the Everglades Protection Area or the |
| 26 | Everglades Agricultural Area shall be primarily responsible for |
| 27 | paying the costs of the abatement of that pollution. For the |
| 28 | purposes of this subsection, the terms "Everglades Protection |
| 29 | Area" and "Everglades Agricultural Area" shall have the meanings |
| 30 | as defined in statutes in effect on January 1, 1996. |
| 31 | (c) Drilling or exploration for oil or natural gas is |
| 32 | prohibited within sovereignty submerged lands and within 200 |
| 33 | miles waterward of the coastline to the maximum extent allowed |
| 34 | by United States or international law. The legislature shall |
| 35 | enact legislation to enforce this subsection. |
| 36 | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be |
| 37 | placed on the ballot: |
| 38 | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT |
| 39 | ARTICLE II, SECTION 7 |
| 40 | PROHIBITING DRILLING OR EXPLORATION FOR OIL OR NATURAL |
| 41 | GAS.--Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to |
| 42 | provide that drilling or exploration for oil or natural gas |
| 43 | shall be prohibited within sovereignty submerged lands and |
| 44 | within 200 miles waterward of the coastline to the maximum |
| 45 | extent allowed by United States or international law and to |
| 46 | direct the Legislature to enact legislation enforcing this |
| 47 | provision. |