Title: Ban/Oil Exploration/Drilling/Extraction/Production

Summary: Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution to prohibit the exploration, drilling, extraction, or production of oil beneath Florida waters between the mean high-water line and the seaward limit of Florida's boundaries.

Full Text:
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section of Article II of the State Constitution to prohibit the exploration, drilling, extraction, or production of oil beneath Florida waters between the mean high water line and the seaward limit of Florida s boundaries. Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida: That the following amendment to Section of Article II of the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next general election: ARTICLE II GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 7. Natural resources and scenic beauty.  (a) It shall be the policy of the state to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty. Adequate provision shall be made by law for the abatement of air and water pollution and of excessive and unnecessary noise and for the conservation and protection of natural resources. (b) Those in the Everglades Agricultural Area who cause water pollution within the Everglades Protection Area or the Everglades Agricultural Area shall be primarily responsible for paying the costs of the abatement of that pollution. For the purposes of this subsection, the terms  Everglades Protection Area  and  Everglades Agricultural Area  shall have the meanings as defined in statutes in effect on January 1, 1996. (c) The exploration for, the drilling for, the extraction of, or the production of oil is prohibited in and beneath all Florida waters located between the mean high-water line along the coastline of Florida and the seaward limit of Florida as now or hereafter fixed by this constitution or the Congress of the United States, whichever such boundary is farther from the coastline. This prohibition does not apply to the transportation of oil produced outside these waters. This subsection is self executing. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be placed on the ballot: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE II, SECTION BAN OF EXPLORATION, DRILLING, EXTRACTION, AND PRODUCTION OF OIL IN FLORIDA TERRITORIAL SEAS. This amendment to the State Constitution prohibits the exploration for, the drilling for, the extraction of, and the production of oil in and beneath all Florida waters between the mean high-water line and the seaward limit of Florida as now or hereafter fixed, whichever boundary is farther from the coastline. This amendment is self-executing and does not apply to the transportation of oil produced outside Florida s territorial waters.