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HJR1 • 2026

CA: Establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish

CA: Establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Ron Ferguson
Last action
Official status
As Introduced
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

CA: Establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish

Proposing to enact Section 23 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish.

What This Bill Does

  • Proposing to enact Section 23 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. Ohio Legislature

    As Introduced

Official Summary Text

Proposing to enact Section 23 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. J. R. No. 1

2025-2026

Representatives
Ferguson, Santucci

Cosponsors:
Representatives Fischer, Williams, Mathews, T., Gross, Hiner, Miller,
K., Claggett, Stewart, Lorenz, Dean, Klopfenstein, McClain, Barhorst,
Hall, T., Jones, Deeter, Fowler Arthur, Willis, Lear, King, Johnson,
Demetriou, Workman, John

A
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

Proposing
to enact Section
23

of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to
establish
a constitutional right to hunt and fish.

Be
it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio,
three-fifths of the members elected to each house concurring herein,
that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state, in the
manner prescribed by law at the general election to be held on
November 4, 2025, a proposal to enact Section
23

of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to read as
follows:

ARTICLE
I

Section.
23.
(A)
The right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of
Ohio's heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good.

(B)
The people have a right, which includes the right to use traditional
methods, to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife that are traditionally
pursued. This right is subject only to the laws prescribed by the
General Assembly and rules prescribed by virtue of the authority of
the General Assembly to do either of the following:

(1)
Promote wildlife conservation and management;

(2)
Preserve the future of hunting and fishing.

(C)
Hunting and fishing shall be a preferred means of managing and
controlling wildlife in this state.

(D)
This section shall not be construed to limit the application of any
provision of law or of the constitution relating to trespass or
property rights.

EFFECTIVE
DATE

If
adopted by a majority of the electors voting on this proposal,
Section
23

of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio enacted by this
proposal shall take effect
immediately
.