Amended  IN  Assembly  June 06, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Constitutional Amendment
No. 16

Introduced by Assembly Members Bryan, Kalra, and Muratsuchi
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Addis, Arambula, Bennett, Berman, Connolly, Friedman, Garcia, Jackson, Lee, McKinnor, Papan, Reyes, Schiavo, Valencia, and Zbur)
(Coauthors: Senators Gonzalez, Limón, Menjivar, Portantino, Skinner, and Stern)

January 25, 2024

A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by adding Section 3.5 to Article I thereof, relating to the environment.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


ACA 16, as amended, Bryan. Environmental rights.
The California Constitution declares various inalienable rights of the people, including the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty, acquire, possess, and protect property, and pursue and obtain safety, happiness, and privacy.
This measure would amend the California Constitution to declare that the people have a right to clean air and water and a healthy environment. environment considering the general well-being and other needs of the people. The measure would specify that the principles inherent in these rights shall serve as a guide to all branches of government in the performance of their official duties and that these rights shall inure to all people in equal measure and shall not be construed or applied in a manner inconsistent with duly enacted laws of the state or other rights set forth in the California Constitution.
Vote: 2/3   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  
Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California at its 2023–24 Regular Session commencing on the fifth day of December 2022, two-thirds of the membership of each house concurring, hereby proposes to the people of the State of California, that the Constitution of the State be amended as follows:

 That Section 3.5 is added to Article I thereof, to read:

SEC. 3.5.
 (a) The people shall have a right to clean air and water and a healthy environment. environment considering the general well-being and other needs of the people.
(b) The principles inherent in the rights recognized in subdivision (a) shall serve as a guide to all branches of government in the performance of their official duties.
(c) The rights recognized in subdivision (a) shall inure to all people in equal measure and shall not be construed or applied in a manner that is inconsistent with duly enacted laws of the state or other rights set forth in this Constitution.