Legislative Briefing (Jan. 25, 2022): The Green Amendment (HJR2 and SJR2)

Our legislative briefing on Jan. 25, 2022, included four important issues we’re following in the 2022 NM State Legislature.

In this video, Maya K. von Rossum, founder of the Green Amendments for the Generations, spoke of HJR2 and SJR2, The Green Amendment.  The initiative proposes to amend the Constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section of Article 2 that provides the people of the state with environmental rights, including the right to a clean and healthy environment and the right to protection of the environment.

The proposal directs the state to serve as a trustee of natural resources of New Mexico for the benefit of all New Mexicans. It also repeals the current pollution control provisions of Article 20, Section 21. It would allow legal redress when this right is violated by government action or inaction. The amendment needs to pass the State Legislature before going to the voters for approval.