california legislature—20 23–24 regular session
Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 16
Introduced by Assembly Members Bryan, Kalra, and Muratsuchi (Coauthors: Assembly Members Friedman, Jackson, Lee,
McKinnor, and Valencia)
(Coauthors: Senators Limón and Stern)
January 25, 2024
Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 16—A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by adding Section 3.5 to Article I thereof, relating to the environment.
legislative counsel’s digest
ACA 16, as introduced, Bryan. Environmental rights.
The California Constitution declares various inalienable rights of the people, including the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty, acquire, possess, and protect property, and pursue and obtain safety, happiness, and privacy.
This measure would amend the California Constitution to declare that the people have a right to clean air and water and a healthy environment.
Vote: 2⁄3. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
line 1 Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring , That the line 2 Legislature of the State of California at its 2023–24 Re gular line 3 Session commencing on the fifth day of December 2022, two-thirds line 4 of the membership of each house concurring, hereby proposes to line 5 the people of the State of California, that the Constitution of the line 6 State be amended as follows:
99 line 1 That Section 3.5 is added to Article I thereof, to read:
line 2 SEC. 3.5. The people shall have a right to clean air and water line 3 and a healthy environment.
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99 — 2 — ACA 16