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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 4
57
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez
A JOINT RESOLUTION
PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO BY ADDING A
NEW SECTION OF ARTICLE 2 THAT PROVIDES THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE
WITH ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CLEAN AND
HEALTHY AIR, WATER, SOIL AND ENVIRONMENTS, HEALTHY NATIVE
FLORA, FAUNA AND ECOSYSTEMS, A SAFE CLIMATE AND THE
PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL, CULTURAL, SCENIC AND HEALTHFUL
QUALITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENT, AND DIRECTS THE STATE, COUNTIES
AND MUNICIPALITIES TO SERVE AS TRUSTEES OF THE NATURAL
RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL THE PEOPLE.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 2 of the
constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:
"A. The people of the state shall have a right to
clean and healthy air, water, soil and environments; healthy
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native flora, fauna and ecosystems; a safe climate; and the
preservation of the natural, cultural, scenic and healthful
qualities of the environment. The state shall protect these
rights equitably for all people regardless of race, ethnicity,
tribal affiliation, gender, socioeconomics or geography.
B. The state, counties and municipalities shall
serve as trustees of the natural resources of New Mexico and
shall conserve, protect and maintain these resources for the
benefit of all the people, including present and future
generations.
C. The provisions of this section are self-
executing. Monetary damages shall not be awarded for a
violation of this section. This section is enforceable against
the state, counties and municipalities."
SECTION 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution
shall be submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection at the next general election or at any special
election prior to that date that may be called for that
purpose.
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