Committee hears hours of testimony on proposed constitutional right to a clean, safe and healthy environment

Senate Joint Resolution 28 would refer to voters a proposed constitutional amendment establishing a fundamental right to “a clean, safe, and healthy environment,” and would allow persons to seek declaratory or equitable relief against state action or inaction that permits harm or the threat of harm to public health and safety, committee staff told the Senate Committee on Rules on March 25.

"Senate Joint Resolution 28 proposes an amendment to the Oregon constitution to establish a fundamental right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment," Leslie, a committee staff member, said when she summarized the measure. She told the committee the dash-1 amendment specifies that the right may include, but is not limited to, clean air and water, a thriving ecosystem, and a stable climate system, and that the state must conserve public natural resources "against substantial impairment."

Proponents told the committee the amendment would strengthen environmental protections and give communities legal tools when existing laws or…