What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing every person in New York the right to clean air, water, and a healthful environment.
Why it matters
Elevates environmental protection to a constitutional right. , meaning it would have the same legal standing as other fundamental rights (like free speech), potentially influencing how courts and government agencies interpret and enforce environmental laws.
Empowers individuals and communities. to take legal action if they believe their right to clean air, water, or a healthful environment is being violated, possibly leading to more citizen-led environmental lawsuits and greater government accountability.
Could impact permitting and regulatory decisions. at all levels of government, as agencies may need to consider the constitutional right to a healthful environment when approving projects or setting regulations, potentially leading to stricter environmental standards.
Signals a long-term policy shift. toward prioritizing environmental health, which may attract attention from businesses, investors, and advocacy groups, and could influence future legislation or inspire similar amendments in other states.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Guarantee Clean Air and Water
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
41 Co-sponsors
- Richard Gottfried
- Angelo Santabarbara
- Felix Ortiz
- Jeffrey Dinowitz
- William Colton
- Barbara Lifton
- Deborah Glick
- Patricia Fahy
- Matthew Titone
- Thomas Abinanti
- Steven Otis
- Kimberly Jean-Pierre
- Charles Lavine
- Walter T. Mosley
- Jo Anne Simon
- Sandy Galef
- Ellen C. Jaffee
- Vivian Cook
- Jose Rivera
- Anthony D'Urso
- Pamela J. Hunter
- Earlene Hooper
- Phil Steck
- Crystal Peoples-Stokes
- Luis R. Sepúlveda
- James Skoufis
- Jaime R. Williams
- Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
- Philip Ramos
- David Weprin
- Michele Titus
- Alicia Hyndman
- Rebecca Seawright
- Donna Lupardo
- Linda Rosenthal
- Charles Barron
- Latrice Walker
- Robert C. Carroll
- Didi Barrett
- Carmen De La Rosa
- Kevin Cahill
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Ordered to third reading cal.443
- Returned to assembly
- Died in senate
- Referred to judiciary
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.62
Show 7 earlier actions
- Rules report cal.62
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- Reported referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Guarantee Clean Air, Water
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor David Carlucci
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6279
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 1, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, GOTTFRIED -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 1 of the constitution, in relation to the right to clean air and water and a healthful environment
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 1 of the constitution be amended by adding a new section 19 to read as follows:
§ 19. Environmental rights. Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89102-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.