Texans would decide if the opportunity to hunt, fish or participate in other outdoor recreation should become a legal right under a constitutional amendment proposed by a Wichita Falls lawmaker.
Rep. David Farabee, D-Wichita Falls, introduced House Joint Resolution 70, which would amend the Texas Constitution to include the following:
" Each person has the right to hunt and fish on public or private lands and public or private waters, the right to enjoy reasonable access to public lands and public waters for hunting, fishing, and other purposes, and the right to enjoy clean air and water.
"The state holds wildlife, wild fish, public lands, public waters and air in trust for the use and benefit of the public.
"The Legislature shall enact any laws that may be necessary to protect those rights and to secure those resources for future generations. This section does not allow a person access to private land or private water to hunt or fish without permission from the owner of the private land or private water."
Should the resolution be adopted by the Texas Legislature, the proposed constitutional amendment would be placed on the ballot for the statewide election scheduled for Nov. 7, 2007.
