Oklahoma Right to Farm and Ranch Amendment (2014)

Not on Ballot
This measure was not put on an election ballot

The Oklahoma Right to Farm and Ranch Amendment was not on the November 4, 2014 ballot in Oklahoma as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The measure, upon voter approval, would have provided for the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching and to choose agricultural technologies and production methods. The amendment would also have prohibited the legislature from “unreasonably” abridging that right.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The proposed ballot question read as follows:

“

BALLOT TITLE Legislative Referendum No. _____ State Question No. _____ THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS: This measure adds a new section of law to the State Constitution. It adds Section 38 to Article 2. It protects the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices. It prohibits the Legislature from passing laws that would unreasonably restrict the right to employ or refuse to employ agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices. It provides for interpretation of the section. SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED? FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES _____________ AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO _____________

”

Constitutional changes

The measure would have added a Section 38 to Article II of the Constitution of Oklahoma:

This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Section 38. To protect agriculture as a vital sector of Oklahoma's economy, which provides food, energy, health benefits, and security and is the foundation and stabilizing force of Oklahoma's economy, the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in this state. The Legislature shall pass no law which unreasonably abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ or refuse to employ agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices. Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify any provision of common law or statutes relating to trespass, eminent domain, existing or previously enacted laws or rules, or any other property rights.

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Oklahoma Constitution

A simple majority vote was required in both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature in order to place the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. The measure died in conference on May 23, 2014.

See also

Suggest a link

• 2014 ballot measures
• Oklahoma 2014 ballot measures
• Oklahoma Legislature