Connecticut Overview

What is a Green Amendment?

Green Amendments are self executing provisions added to the bill of rights section of a constitution that recognize and protect the rights of all people, including future generations, to pure water, clean air, a stable climate, and healthy environments.  The Connecticut Environmental Rights Amendment is Connecticut’s version of a Green Amendment.

Overview of the CT Green Amendment

Environmental advocates, organizations and caring community members are working together to advance a Connecticut Green Amendment.

Named the Connecticut Environmental Rights Amendment, the language the CTERA Alliance (a collaboration of supporting organizations led by CT NOFA) seeks, would read:

Article first of the Constitution is amended by adding section 21 as follows:

Sec. 21. Each person shall have an individual right to clean and healthy air, water, soil, ecosystems and environment and a safe and stable climate for the benefit of public health, safety and the general welfare. The state shall protect these rights equitably for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, tribal affiliation, gender, socioeconomic status or geography. Recognizing all of the residents of the state, including present and future generations, as the beneficiaries of a healthy environment, the state shall conserve, manage, protect and maintain, for these beneficiaries, all of the natural resources of Connecticut, including its waters, air, flora, fauna, soils and climate. The state shall not allow, through government action or inaction, any degradation, diminution or depletion of the natural environment that is avoidable, contributes to significant or widespread environmental harm or results in an unhealthy or unsustainable environment. Any funds supporting protection of the state’s natural resources shall not be diverted. The rights stated in this section are equivalent to all other inalienable rights, may not be infringed and may be directly invoked and enforced by the residents of this state. 

You can see the link to Bill Language HERE

Status:

In 2025 the CTERA was first proposed by Representative Michael “MJ” Shannon.  The amendment is House Resolution (HR) 7.  The amendment’s status can be tracked here.   The CTERA is supported by a growing coalition of organizations and a strong partnership between CT NOFA, Green Amendments For The Generations, and community activists.

Outreach, education and organizing continue.  There is still lots of opportunity to be active in this history-making effort:

• If you represent an organization and would like to sign on in support, you can do so here.
• As an individual you can join the movement by Signing Our Petition of Support Here.

Wondering what legislators are currently in support of the measure?

• Rep. Mary M. Mushinsky, 85th Dist.
• Rep. Nick Gauthier, 38th Dist.
• Rep. Josh Elliott, 88th Dist.
• Sen. Saud Anwar, 3rd Dist.
• Rep. Laurie Sweet, 91st Dist.
• Rep. Mary Fortier, 79th Dist.
• Rep. Jason Doucette, 13th Dist.
• Rep. Michael “MJ” Shannon, 117th Dist.
• Rep. Steven Winter, 94th Dist.
• Rep. Sarah Keitt, 134th Dist.
• Rep. Lucy Dathan, 142nd Dist.
• Sen. Matthew L. Lesser, 9th Dist.
• Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, 18th Dist.
• Rep. Nicholas Menapace, 37th Dist.
• Sen. Derek Slap, 5th Dist.
• Sen. Christine Cohen, 12th Dist.
• Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo, 111th Dist.
• Rep. Juan R. Candelaria, 95th Dist.