Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights.
Impact
If enacted, this amendment would significantly impact state laws by formally establishing a right to a clean environment within the New Jersey Constitution, thereby reinforcing the state's responsibility towards environmental stewardship. The proposed language emphasizes that these rights are self-executing, asserting their legal validity without the need for further legislative action. This framework could influence a wide range of existing state laws related to environmental regulation and protection, potentially leading to more stringent environmental policies that safeguard natural resources.
Summary
SCR15 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution proposing a constitutional amendment in New Jersey that aims to grant every individual the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment. This includes rights to pure water, clean air, and ecologically healthy habitats, as well as the preservation of the environment's natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic qualities. The resolution makes the State the trustee of public natural resources, mandating it to conserve and maintain these resources for the benefit of both current and future generations.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding SCR15 involve the balance of governmental powers and the implications of the State's role as a trustee. Advocates for the amendment argue that it is essential for ensuring long-term environmental health and reflecting contemporary values towards sustainability. Critics, however, may be concerned about the expansive nature of such rights and the potential for increased litigation surrounding environmental claims, which they argue could complicate existing regulatory frameworks and impose additional burdens on state governance.
Encouraging Future Legislatures To Pass A Proposed Constitutional Amendment, And The Electorate To Ratify The Proposed Amendment, Guaranteeing All Individuals The Right To A Clean And Healthy Environment And A Stable Climate.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the election of constitutional convention delegates and vote requirements necessary for the adoption of a new constitution (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
(Constitutional Amendment) Modifies disposition of certain state revenues through repeal of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and deposits of certain revenue streams into the Budget Stabilization Fund (RRF INCREASE GF RV See Note)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the application of state monies to the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (EN DECREASE SD RV See Note)
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.