The Conservation Amendment. It was placed first on the ballot among the revisions because it consistently received the strongest votes among commissioners and was strongly supported at the public hearings. A considerable amount of time was spent by the CRC debating the concept of an environmental bill of rights. While most commissioners expressed concerns that the proposal might affect property rights, it provided them the opportunity to see how Florida's constitutional language compares to other states. The various environmental clauses which appear in the other states' constitutions fall into several categories.
Some language is aspirational and is designed to set a goal of protection of the environment.
Some language is a statement of public policy, meaning that it is a basis for the legislature to enact a law relating to environmental protection. Some language is directive, meaning that the legislature is required to take some specific action to protect the environment. Other language is self-executing, meaning that it has independent legal significance and is enforceable through the courts. Florida's Natural Resources Clause contains both aspirational and directive language. No part of the clause has been found by the courts to be self executing.