Bill > H5732

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to Article 1 of the Rhode Island Constitution, known as the Green Amendment, which would establish an inherent and inalienable right to clean air, water, soil, a life-supporting climate, and preservation of environmental values for all people in the state. The proposed amendment, effective January 1, 2027, would require the state to serve as a trustee of natural resources, conserving and protecting them for both current and future generations, and mandate equitable protection of these environmental rights regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. The resolution outlines the process for submitting this constitutional amendment to voters at the next statewide general election, requiring the secretary of state to publish the proposition in state newspapers and ensure that voting procedures follow standard election protocols for general officers. If approved by voters, this amendment would provide constitutional protection for environmental rights and create a legal framework for environmental conservation and protection in Rhode Island.

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