2026 -- S 2225

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LC004250

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- GREEN AMENDMENT

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     RESOLVED, That a majority of all members elected to each house of the general

assembly voting therefor, the following amendment to the Constitution of the state be proposed to

the qualified electors of the state in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the

Constitution, for their approval, and that it adds an additional section to Article 1, which is hereby

amended, effective January 1, 2027, to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

     DECLARATION OF CERTAIN CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND PRINCIPLES

     SECTION 25. Green amendment.

     All people in the State of Rhode Island have an inherent, inalienable, indefeasible, and

self-executing right to clean air and water, healthy soil, a safe climate, and to the preservation of

the natural and healthful values of our environment. The state shall serve as trustee of the natural

resources of Rhode Island, and shall conserve, protect, and maintain these resources for the

benefit of all the people, including both present and future generations. The state shall not

infringe upon these rights and shall protect these rights and Rhode Island’s natural resources

equitably for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or socioeconomics.

     RESOLVED, That this proposition of amendment shall amend Article 1 as aforesaid; and

be it further

     RESOLVED, That said proposition of amendment shall be submitted to the electors for

their approval or rejection at the next statewide general election. The voting places in the several

cities and towns shall be kept open during the hours required by law for voting therein for general

officers of the state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause the said proposition of amendments

to be published as a part of this resolution in the newspapers of the state prior to the date of the

said meetings of the said electors; and the said proposition shall be inserted in the warrants or

notices to be issued previous to said meetings of the electors for the purpose of warning the town,

ward, or district meetings, and said proposition shall be read by the town, ward, or district

meetings to be held as aforesaid; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the town, ward, and district meetings to be held aforesaid shall be

warned, and the list of voters shall be canvassed and made up, and the said town, ward, and

district meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as now provided by law for the town,

ward, and district meetings for the election of general officers of the state.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- GREEN AMENDMENT

***

     This joint resolution would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment

to Article 1 which would provide all people in the state would have an inherent, inalienable,

indefeasible, and self-executing right to clean air, health and uncontaminated soil, a life

supporting climate, and the preservation of the environment's natural, scenic, and recreational

values.

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