Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0928
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Sponsors: O'NEIL, WARREN, BENNETT, CRAFTS, JAUCH, PLUECKER, RANA, RIELLY, DAUGHTRY

Legislative Document
No. 928
H.P. 575
House of Representatives, March 2, 2023
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine to Establish a Right to a Clean and Healthy Environment
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative O'NEIL of Saco.
Cosponsored by Representative WARREN of Scarborough, Senator BENNETT of Oxford and
Representatives: CRAFTS of Newcastle, JAUCH of Topsham, PLUECKER of Warren, RANA 
of Bangor, RIELLY of Westbrook, Senator: DAUGHTRY of Cumberland.
Constitutional amendment. Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
proposed:
Constitution, Art. I, §26 is enacted to read:
Section 26. Environmental rights.  The people of the State have the right to a 
clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, cultural and healthful 
qualities of the environment. The State may not infringe upon these rights. The State shall 
conserve, protect and maintain the State's natural resources, including, but not limited to, 
its air, water, land and ecosystems for the benefit of all the people, including generations 
yet to come.
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective date.  
Resolved:  That the municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their 
respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding 
a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of November following the 
passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment proposed in this 
resolution by voting upon the following question:
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to grant the people of 
the State a right to a clean and healthy environment and to the preservation 
of the natural, cultural and healthful qualities of the environment?"
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question 
and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the corresponding square 
below the word "Yes" or "No."  The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared 
in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in 
the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature.  The Governor shall review the 
returns.  If it appears that a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the amendment, 
the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay and the amendment becomes part of 
the Constitution of Maine on the date of the proclamation.
Secretary of State shall prepare ballots.  Resolved:  That the Secretary of State 
shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of 
this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.
SUMMARY
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to grant the people of the 
State a right to a clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, 
cultural and healthful qualities of the environment.