An Indiana legislative committee has advanced a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right of residents to hunt, fish and farm. The state Senate's agriculture committee voted unanimously Monday to send the proposal to the full Senate.
Republican Sen. Brent Steele of Bedford says he sponsored the amendment because farming and hunting are important parts of Indiana's heritage that are threatened by animal-rights activists.Kim Ferraro of the Hoosier Environmental Council says the group supports the rights of farmers but doesn't believe an industry should have special protection in the state constitution.
If the measure clears the House and Senate, it would go before Indiana voters in a 2014 statewide referendum.
Kentucky voters approved a similar measure last year.