SCR 43 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights.

SCR 43 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's Constitution that grants every resident a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, a safe climate, and ecologically healthy habitats. It requires the state to act as trustee of public natural resources - such as air, water, public lands, and wildlife - and mandates that these resources be conserved and maintained for all people, both present and future. The amendment specifies that these rights are self-executing, meaning they can be directly enforced in court without requiring new legislation. If approved by voters, this would become a permanent part of New Jersey's Constitution.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2024 Last action Mar 14, 2024
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 14, 2024
Committee
Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
upper
Mar 14, 2024
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
upper
Jan 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
upper
2 primary · 17 co-sponsors

Sponsors