HJR 7C

1	House Joint Resolution
2	A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 7 of
3	Article II of the State Constitution to prohibit oil and
4	natural gas exploration, drilling, extraction, and
5	production in specified coastal waters and to exempt the
6	transportation of oil and gas products produced outside of
7	such waters.
8
9	Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
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)  To protect the citizens of the state and their
32	environment, oil and natural gas exploration, drilling,
33	extraction, and production are prohibited in and beneath all
34	state waters between the line of mean high tide and the
35	outermost boundaries of the state's territorial seas. This
36	prohibition shall not apply to the transportation of oil and gas
37	products produced outside of such waters.
38	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
39	placed on the ballot:
40	CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
41	ARTICLE II, SECTION 7
42	OIL OR NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION, DRILLING, EXTRACTION, AND
43	PRODUCTION IN COASTAL WATERS PROHIBITED.-Proposing an amendment
44	to the State Constitution to prohibit oil and natural gas
45	exploration, drilling, extraction, and production in and beneath
46	all state waters between the line of mean high tide and the
47	outermost boundaries of the state's territorial seas and to
48	exempt the transportation of oil and gas products produced
49	outside of such waters from the prohibition.

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