§ 14.
State coal mining enterprises.
The mining, distribution and sale of coal are hereby
declared to be works of public necessity and importance in which the state may engage, and the
Legislature may enact suitable laws to carry this provision into effect and to empower the state to
acquire, by purchase or appropriation, all lands, structures, easements, tracks, rights of way,
equipment, cars, motive power, and all other facilities, implements, instrumentalities, and
materials necessary or incidental to the acquisition, mining, manufacturing and distribution of
coal for fuel purposes: provided, however, that no expenditure of money for the purposes
enumerated in this section shall be made except upon a vote of two-thirds of the members elect
of each branch of the Legislature.
History: Section proposed by SL 1918 (SS), ch 34, adopted Nov., 1918.