2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
LRB-2953/1
MPG:cdc
April 29, 2025 - Introduced by Senators Spreitzer, Habush Sinykin, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith and Carpenter, cosponsored by Representatives Madison, Stroud, Miresse, Tenorio, McCarville, Palmeri, J. Jacobson, Joers, Anderson, Andraca, Bare, Brown, Clancy, Cruz, DeSanto, DeSmidt, Emerson, Fitzgerald, Goodwin, Haywood, Hong, Hysell, Johnson, Mayadev, Moore Omokunde, Neubauer, Ortiz-Velez, Phelps, Prado, Rivera-Wagner, Roe, Sheehan, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Stubbs, Subeck, Udell and Vining. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Veteran and Military Affairs.
SJR37,1,3
1To create section 27 of article I of the constitution; relating to: the right of the
2people to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment and to its
3preservation (first consideration). Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2025 legislature on first consideration, provides that the people, including future generations, have the right to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment, including clean water, clean air, healthy soils, self-sustaining ecosystems, and a safe and stable climate, and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, and healthful qualities of the environment. Under the amendment, these rights shall never be infringed, shall be subject to strict scrutiny review in court, shall be protected equitably for all communities in the state, and are self-executing. Under strict scrutiny judicial review, any restriction of a fundamental right may generally be upheld only if the restriction is necessary to achieve a compelling state interest and is narrowly tailored to its purpose and no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists.
The constitutional amendment also provides that the state, as trustee, must protect Wisconsin’s natural resources for all of the people of Wisconsin, including future generations.
A constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive legislatures and ratification by the people before it can become effective.
SJR37,2,1
1Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That: SJR37,12Section 1. Section 27 of article I of the constitution is created to read: SJR37,2,93[Article I] Section 27 The people, including future generations, have the right 4to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment, including clean water, clean air, 5healthy soils, self-sustaining ecosystems, and a safe and stable climate, and to the 6preservation of the natural, cultural, and healthful qualities of the environment. 7These rights shall never be infringed, shall be subject to strict scrutiny review in 8court, shall be protected equitably for all communities in the state, and are self-9executing. SJR37,2,1110(2) The state, as trustee, shall protect Wisconsin’s natural resources for all of 11the people of this state, including future generations. SJR37,212Section 2. Numbering of new provisions. If another constitutional 13amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in 14this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine 15the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict. SJR37,2,1816Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the 17legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 18three months previous to the time of holding such election.
