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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to a |
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clean and healthy environment. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended by |
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adding Section 36 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 36. (a) The public, individually and collectively, |
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has the right to a clean and healthy environment, including clean |
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water, clean air, healthy soil, and diverse and abundant native |
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flora and fauna, and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, |
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scenic, recreational, and healthful qualities of the environment. |
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The right to a clean and healthy environment is inherent, |
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inalienable, indefeasible, and equal with other protected |
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inalienable rights of liberty reserved to the public. The state |
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shall equitably protect this right for the public and may not take |
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any action to infringe on this right. |
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(b) The public natural resources of this state are the |
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common property of all persons, including future generations. The |
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state, including the legislative, judicial, and executive branches |
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and each state agency and political subdivision, shall conserve, |
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protect, and maintain the state's public natural resources for the |
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benefit of the public, including future generations. |
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(c) This section is self-executing. |
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SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
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submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023. |
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The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right |
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to a clean and healthy environment." |