AN ACT TO AMEND THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO ENGAGE IN FARMING AND FORESTRY.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article I of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding a new section to read:

Sec. 39.  Right to engage in farming and forestry.

The right of the people to engage in the cultivation of crops, the raising of livestock and poultry, the production of dairy and apiary products, the harvesting of timber, and other practices for the production of agricultural and forestry commodities is a valued and essential part of the State's heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good, subject only to laws enacted by the General Assembly and rules adopted pursuant to authority granted by the General Assembly.

SECTION 2.  The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State at a statewide general election to be held in November of 2026, which election shall be conducted under the laws then governing elections in the State. Ballots, voting systems, or both may be used in accordance with Chapter 163A of the General Statutes. The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be:

[ ] FOR          [ ] AGAINST

Constitutional amendment protecting the right of the people to engage in farming and forestry.

SECTION 3.  The State Board of Elections shall certify the results of the referendum conducted under Section 2 of this act. If a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the Secretary of State shall enroll the amendment among the permanent records of that office. If a majority of votes cast on the question are against the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the amendment shall have no effect.

SECTION 4.  If the certification from the State Board of Elections under Section 3 of this act reflects that a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act is effective upon certification.

SECTION 5.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.