JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION – GREEN AMENDMENT (Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article 1 providing for a right to clean air, soil, climate, and the environment’s natural values.)
Impact
If passed, the Green Amendment would significantly impact state laws and policies regarding environmental conservation and protection. It formalizes the state's duty to maintain the environment, potentially leading to more robust environmental regulations and practices. The amendment's language suggests a proactive approach to environmental stewardship, meaning that the state would be mandated to ensure sustainable practices that protect natural resources for the sake of public health and ecological integrity. By enshrining these rights constitutionally, the bill could facilitate greater accountability among state and local government entities regarding environmental legislation.
Summary
House Bill 5732, also known as the Green Amendment, seeks to amend Article 1 of the Rhode Island Constitution by enshrining a right to a clean and healthy environment for all residents. This right includes access to clean air, clean water, healthy soil, and a life-supporting climate, establishing the state's responsibility to act as a trustee of its natural resources. The proposed amendment aims to secure these rights for present and future generations and emphasizes equity by ensuring that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status, benefit from the protections provided by the amendment.
Contention
While supporters argue that the Green Amendment is a necessary step toward recognizing the intrinsic link between environmental quality and public health, critics may raise concerns about the implications such constitutional rights could have on economic development and land-use regulations. Opponents might argue that the broad language of the amendment could lead to litigation that would complicate existing laws or impose new restrictions on business operations. Additionally, the potential impact of the amendment on property rights and local governance may prompt debates on the balance between environmental protection and development needs.
Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Of Suffrage (would Propose To The Voters Of The State A Constitutional Amendment Regarding Eligibility To Vote And To Be A Candidate.)
Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Of Suffrage (would Propose To The Voters Of The State A Constitutional Amendment Regarding Eligibility To Vote And To Be A Candidate.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)
JOINT RESOLUTION JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- REMOVING PROVISIONS PROVIDING FOR ELECTION BY PLURALITY (This Joint Resolution would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment which would remove from the Constitution the provision of Article IV, Section 2, that provide for election by plurality.)
Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Jury Nullification As Proper Trial Defense Argument (this Joint Resolution Would Propose To The Voters A Constitutional Amendment Which Would Allow A Criminal Defendant To Argue Jury Nullification As A Defense.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- JURY NULLIFICATION AS PROPER TRIAL DEFENSE ARGUMENT (This joint resolution would propose to the voters a constitutional amendment which would allow a criminal defendant to argue jury nullification as a defense.)
Joint Resolution To Approve, Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State -- Four Year Terms And Term Limits For Representatives And Senators (proposes An Amendment To The State Constitution, Article Iv, To Allow For Term Limits For The General Assembly Members.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (This Joint Resolution would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment which would provide that no person who is not a citizen of the United States would be allowed to vote in this state.)