Constitutional Amendment Proposal on Environmental Rights
Summary
The Connecticut General Assembly is proposing a resolution (S.J. No. 37) to amend the state constitution to establish environmental rights. The Government Administration and Elections Committee has given the resolution a Joint Favorable recommendation. A public hearing is scheduled for April 7, 2026.
What changed
The Connecticut General Assembly has introduced S.J. No. 37, a proposed constitutional amendment establishing environmental rights for Connecticut residents. The resolution was filed on March 23, 2026, and received Joint Favorable action from the Government Administration and Elections Committee. If adopted, this amendment would create a new constitutional provision guaranteeing environmental rights.
Environmental advocacy groups and affected stakeholders should prepare testimony for the public hearing scheduled for April 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The resolution remains in the legislative process and would require subsequent legislative approval and potentially a voter referendum before taking effect. Government agencies should monitor this proposal as it could establish new constitutional obligations for state and local government actions affecting the environment.
What to do next
- Submit public testimony for the April 7, 2026 hearing on S.J. No. 37
- Environmental advocacy groups should prepare and submit comments on the proposed environmental rights amendment
- Government agencies should monitor the legislative progress of this constitutional amendment
Source document (simplified)
S.J. No. 37
RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS.
Introduced by:
Government Administration and Elections Committee
| | New today | | 2-4 days old | | 5 days & older |
| | Text of Bill |
| | Senate Constitutional Resolution [doc] |
| | Committee Actions |
| | GAE Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable) |
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Bill History
| | Date | | Action Taken |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | 3/31/2026 | (LCO) | Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/26 5:00 PM |
| | 3/23/2026 | (LCO) | Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office |
| | 3/23/2026 | (GAE) | Joint Favorable |
| | 2/27/2026 | | Public Hearing 03/04 |
| | 2/26/2026 | | Referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections |
Co-sponsors of SJ-37
Rep. Laurie Sweet, 91st Dist. Rep. Gary A. Turco, 27th Dist. Rep. Geraldo C. Reyes, 75th Dist. Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, 18th Dist. Rep. Mary M. Mushinsky, 85th Dist. Rep. Anne M. Hughes, 135th Dist. Rep. Steven Winter, 94th Dist. Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, 41st Dist. Rep. Josh Elliott, 88th Dist. Rep. Nick Gauthier, 38th Dist. Rep. Nicholas Menapace, 37th Dist. Rep. Hector Arzeno, 151st Dist. Rep. Gregory Haddad, 54th Dist. NOTE: Please direct all inquiries regarding the status of bills to the Office of the House Clerk and/or Senate Clerks' Office.
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