The Paper.

Constitutional Amendment will Secure the Right to Clean Air and Water and a Healthy Environment

On Saturday, the New Mexico House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted to pass an updated version of HJR2, or the Green Amendment, through committee with a vote of 6 to 4. A revised version was considered by the committee after the original language failed to achieve the majority necessary at last week’s hearing to advance. The new language, according to sponsors, addresses concerns raised at last week’s hearing while still providing essential environmental rights and natural resources protection. The proposed New Mexico Green Amendment will be moving forward to the House Judiciary Committee next.

“I am deeply appreciative of the house committee moving this bill forward, and seeing its value for protecting our environment and the people of our Land of Enchantment,” said Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Dona Ana), the lead sponsor on the Green Amendment proposal.

Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Albuquerque), is the lead sponsor on the Senate side and expressed great appreciation for Committee Chair Matthew McQueen’s collaboration in making this a better bill.  Senator Sedillo Lopez also stated that “New Mexicans deserve to vote on the importance of clean air, water, land and the environment in our beautiful but environmentally fragile state.”

The Joint Resolution proposes amending the state constitution’s Bill of Rights to recognize and protect the rights of all of the people of New Mexico to “clean and healthy air, water, soil and environment; a stable climate; and self-sustaining ecosystems” and to ensure the New Mexico government officials conserve, protect and maintain the state’s natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations. …

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