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Natural Resources Committee hears ‘Green Amendment’ (LR22CA); supporters cite water and youth, opponents warn of litigation risk
Summary
Senator George Dungan introduced LR22CA — the proposed Nebraska "Green Amendment" — and the Natural Resources Committee heard extensive testimony from youth activists, public-health experts, environmental groups, faith leaders and critics about whether a constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment should be added to the state constitution.
Senator George Dungan introduced LR22CA — a proposed constitutional amendment commonly called the "Green Amendment" — to the Natural Resources Committee and a lengthy public hearing followed, featuring dozens of proponents, several opponents and one neutral witness.
"A Nebraska Green Amendment will ensure that all of the government in the state, including the branches of government at both the state and the local level, will work to advance proactive environmental protection at every level of the decision making process," Senator George Dungan said in opening remarks. Dungan described language drawn from other states and said the amendment is intended to allow citizens to challenge government action or inaction that harms the environment.
Attorney Sheridan Macy, who helped draft the bill, told the committee, "The Green Amendment gives Nebraskans the right to a clean and healthy environment, supporting legal action when that right is violated, whether this be by government action or inaction." Macy and multiple young testifiers cited nitrate contamination of groundwater and higher pediatric cancer rates in Nebraska as…
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