Idaho constitutional amendments
About The Measure
IDAHO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Idaho voters will be asked to decide on Nov. 6 whether to amend the state’s Constitution to guarantee a right to hunt, fish and trap, a measure that led to tortured debates during this year’s legislative session as five previous versions of the amendment failed, before HJR 2aa finally passed both houses by two-thirds votes.
Few lawmakers objected to guaranteeing rights to hunt and fish; 13 states have done that, all but one of them in the last 15 years (though only five added in trapping). But the details of the wording in the amendment provoked big concerns about inadvertently limiting Fish and Game hunting and fishing regulations; affecting water rights or private property rights; or possibly even opening the door to allowing future lawmakers to ban the very rights the amendment sought to protect.
Five separate versions of the measure failed, before the sixth finally passed the House with four “no” votes and the Senate with three “no” votes; this was after a previous version passed the Senate unanimously but died in committee in the House.
The final version actually had to be amended after it cleared a House committee - that’s why the “aa,” signifying “as amended,” appears after HJR 2, which stands for House Joint Resolution 2. House members added a clause designed to ensure the amendment wouldn’t prevent the lawful revocation or suspension of an individual’s hunting, fishing or trapping license.
A second proposed constitutional amendment, SJR 102, also is before Idaho voters; it adds one word, “felony,” to the section on management of adult probation in the state, to reflect current practice and clarify that counties manage misdemeanor probation, while the state Corrections Department handles felony cases.
Complete Coverage
Idaho to vote on measure ensuring right to hunt, fish, trap
BOISE – Idaho has a measure on the November ballot to enshrine a right to hunt, fish and trap in the state constitution – a proposal that likely would generate virtually no opposition in the outdoorsy state but for the inclusion of trapping. Thirteen other states have passed right-to-hunt-and-fish amendments, all but one of them in the past 15 years. Three others besides Idaho – Kentucky, Nebraska and Wyoming – are considering them in November. But only five states have specifically protected the right to trap.
Eye on Boise: Session comes to a screaming end
BOISE – On the final night of this year’s legislative session, the Senate was disrupted by a woman’s shrill scream from the fourth-floor public gallery: “Give that back!” An Occupy Boise protester in the gallery was being accosted by Idaho State Police officers – for violating a rule against wearing hats. Occupy members have worn knit caps when they come to the Statehouse to show solidarity.