Bill > SJ00036

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a fundamental environmental rights provision for Connecticut residents. Specifically, the amendment would create an individual right for each person to have clean and healthy air, water, soil, ecosystems, environment, and a safe climate, with these rights deemed equivalent to other inalienable rights. The state would be obligated to protect these rights equitably and would be prohibited from unreasonably allowing environmental degradation that could cause significant harm or create an unhealthy environment. The proposed amendment would also require the state to actively conserve, manage, and protect Connecticut's natural resources, considering both current and future generations as beneficiaries. Importantly, residents would be able to directly invoke and enforce these environmental rights. The proposed amendment is planned to be presented to voters at the November 3, 2026 general election, where voters will decide whether to add this provision to the state constitution. If approved, this would be a significant expansion of environmental protections by elevating environmental rights to a constitutional level.

Government Affairs

Government Administration and Elections Committee (J)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SJ00036&which_year=2025