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HB 551KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState Billdead
Did Not Advance

Kentucky legislature proposes constitutional amendment establishing a right to a healthy environment and public trust for natural resources

Original title: AN ACT proposing to amend Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to the environment.

Last action · February 10, 2026: to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)Sponsor: Sarah Stalker

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Kentucky proposes amending Section 1 of the state constitution to establish an inalienable right to a healthy environment, clean air, pure water, and ecologically healthy habitats, while designating natural resources as common property for current and future generations. The amendment would require the Commonwealth to act as to conserve and maintain natural resources for all people, and it will appear on the ballot for voter or rejection at the next regular election.

Why it matters

Changes the legal status of natural resources and creates a constitutional right to clean air and water, allowing citizens to invoke environmental protections and imposing a formal trust duty on state government.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Kentucky voters

Directly affected

Secretary of State

Must publish the amendment text in a newspaper of general circulation and certify the ballot question to county clerks by statutory deadlines.

Directly affected

County clerks

Must ensure the constitutional question and amendment are indicated on paper or electronic voting machine ballots.

Directly affected

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Assumes the legal status of trustee over natural resources, air, water, fauna, climate, and public lands.

Key Facts

  • Proposes adding an eighth inherent and inalienable right to Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky guaranteeing a right to a healthy environment, clean air, pure water, and ecologically healthy habitats.
  • Declares natural resources including air, water, fauna, climate, and public lands to be the common property of all people, including future generations.
  • Requires the Commonwealth to serve as trustee of the environment and its natural resources to conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all people.
  • Directs that the constitutional amendment be submitted to voters for ratification or rejection at the next regular election.
Show all 8 facts
  • Requires the Secretary of State to publish the entirety of the constitutional question and amendment at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation no later than the first Tuesday in August preceding the election.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to certify the question and amendment to county clerks by specified August or September deadlines depending on whether a presidential election is occurring.
  • Requires county clerks to include the question and amendment on paper or electronic ballots.
  • Specifies that the Act may be cited as the Legacy Amendment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Legacy Amendment propose to change?
It proposes amending Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky to establish a constitutional right to a healthy environment, clean air, pure water, and healthy habitats, while naming the Commonwealth as of public natural resources.
What responsibilities does the state take on under this amendment?
The Commonwealth would become the of the environment and its natural resources, requiring it to conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all current and future generations.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

2 actions
  1. Feb 10, 2026HouseCommittee
    to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
  2. Feb 3, 2026HouseIntroduced
    introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Sarah StalkerHouse · District 34DemocraticPrimary sponsor

Connected Entities

General Assembly, Commonwealth of Kentucky, Secretary of State
OrganizationGeneral Assembly“The legislative body enacting the bill and submitting the amendment.”Map →
locationCommonwealth of Kentucky“The jurisdiction whose constitution is being amended.”Map →
OrganizationSecretary of State“Responsible for publishing the ballot question and certifying it to county clerk”Map →

Sources

Open source document

apps.legislature.ky.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
  • Controversy60
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz45
    Current news / social attention level

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