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