HI
Hawaii Senate Bill SB635

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB635

Introduced
1/20/23  
Refer
1/25/23  
Introduced
1/20/23  
Report Pass
2/8/23  
Refer
1/25/23  
Report Pass
2/8/23  

Caption

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

Impact

If passed, SB635 would strengthen environmental protections within Hawaii's constitutional framework, ensuring that these rights cannot be infringed upon by legislative or executive actions. This could lead to enhanced advocacy for environmental justice, pushing for stronger regulations to protect natural resources. It seeks to align legal standards with the cultural values of the native Hawaiian population, which could reshape future environmental policies and approaches to sustainability in the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 635 (SB635) proposes a significant amendment to Article I of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii. The amendment aims to legally enshrine the inherent and inalienable rights of all individuals to clean water and air, a healthy environment, and natural ecosystems. It emphasizes the importance of these rights not just for the current population but also for future generations. This reflects a deep-rooted cultural ethos in Hawaii focused on the connection between people and their environment, embodied in the concept of Aloha Aina, or 'love of the land'.

Contention

While SB635 presents a forward-thinking approach to environmental rights, it also brings potential points of contention, particularly concerning implementation and enforcement. Opponents may raise concerns about the practicality of enforcing these rights and the potential for legal challenges that could arise as a result. Discussions could center on how this amendment interacts with existing laws and regulations, and how it may influence economic development versus environmental conservation efforts.

Latest SB635 Activity

Companion Bills

HI HB444

Same As Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

HI SB635

Carry Over Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

Similar Bills

HI HR124

Reaffirming The State's Obligation To Uphold The Constitutional Rights Of Its People By Recognizing The Critical Role Of Freshwater In Maintaining Healthy Nearshore Marine Ecosystems.

HI HCR128

Reaffirming The State's Obligation To Uphold The Constitutional Rights Of Its People By Recognizing The Critical Role Of Freshwater In Maintaining Healthy Nearshore Marine Ecosystems.

HI SB2962

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air And Healthy Ecosystems, Including Climate, And To The Preservation Of The Natural, Cultural, Scenic, And Healthful Qualities Of The Environment.

HI SB559

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

HI SB702

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

HI SB2933

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

HI HB444

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

HI SB635

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.