Clean and healthy environment
If passed, the amendment would mark a significant change in Arizona's environmental laws by embedding the right to a clean and healthy environment into the state's constitution. This would likely impact various statutes and regulations concerning environmental protection, pollution control, and resource management, enhancing the legal standing of environmental rights within the state. It may also encourage state actions that align with these rights, potentially leading to stricter environmental policies and regulations.
HCR2013 is a concurrent resolution introduced in the Arizona House of Representatives aimed at amending the state constitution to establish an inherent right of all citizens to a clean and healthy environment. The bill emphasizes the importance of clean air and water and the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic values of Arizona's environment. The amendment seeks to secure this right for all individuals irrespective of their race, wealth, ethnicity, or other identities, proposing that state public natural resources belong to all residents, including future generations.
The proposal has the potential for contention within legislative circles, as it raises questions about the state's role and responsibilities as a trustee of natural resources. Supporters argue this amendment is necessary to protect citizens’ rights and ensure sustainable practices, while opponents may critique it as an overreach that could complicate regulatory frameworks or impose limitations on land and resource development. The debate could also center around the practical implications of enforcing this constitutional right and its impact on existing businesses and economic activities in the state.