HJR 7C

1
House Joint Resolution
2A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 7 of
3Article II of the State Constitution to prohibit oil and
4natural gas exploration, drilling, extraction, and
5production in specified coastal waters and to exempt the
6transportation of oil and gas products produced outside of
7such waters.
8
9Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
11     That the following amendment to Section 7 of Article II of
12the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to
13the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next
14general election or at an earlier special election specifically
15authorized 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
20protect its natural resources and scenic beauty. Adequate
21provision shall be made by law for the abatement of air and
22water pollution and of excessive and unnecessary noise and for
23the conservation and protection of natural resources.
24     (b)  Those in the Everglades Agricultural Area who cause
25water pollution within the Everglades Protection Area or the
26Everglades Agricultural Area shall be primarily responsible for
27paying the costs of the abatement of that pollution. For the
28purposes of this subsection, the terms "Everglades Protection
29Area" and "Everglades Agricultural Area" shall have the meanings
30as defined in statutes in effect on January 1, 1996.
31     (c)  To protect the citizens of the state and their
32environment, oil and natural gas exploration, drilling,
33extraction, and production are prohibited in and beneath all
34state waters between the line of mean high tide and the
35outermost boundaries of the state's territorial seas. This
36prohibition shall not apply to the transportation of oil and gas
37products produced outside of such waters.
38     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
39placed on the ballot:
40
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
41
ARTICLE II, SECTION 7
42     OIL OR NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION, DRILLING, EXTRACTION, AND
43PRODUCTION IN COASTAL WATERS PROHIBITED.-Proposing an amendment
44to the State Constitution to prohibit oil and natural gas
45exploration, drilling, extraction, and production in and beneath
46all state waters between the line of mean high tide and the
47outermost boundaries of the state's territorial seas and to
48exempt the transportation of oil and gas products produced
49outside of such waters from the prohibition.


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