SJR 37

This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2025 legislature on first consideration, provides that the people, including future generations, have the right to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment, including clean water, clean air, healthy soils, self-sustaining ecosystems, and a safe and stable climate, and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, and healthful qualities of the environment. Under the amendment, these rights shall never be infringed, shall be subject to strict scrutiny review in court, shall be protected equitably for all communities in the state, and are self-executing. Under strict scrutiny judicial review, any restriction of a fundamental right may generally be upheld only if the restriction is necessary to achieve a compelling state interest and is narrowly tailored to its purpose and no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists.

The constitutional amendment also provides that the state, as trustee, must protect Wisconsin’s natural resources for all of the people of Wisconsin, including future generations.

A constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive legislatures and ratification by the people before it can become effective.