Rep. Brown files bill in North Carolina House to amend state constitution on environmental rights

A new bill filed by State Rep. Kanika Brown in the North Carolina House seeks to recognize environmental protection as a constitutional right for residents, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 965 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill proposes an amendment to the North Carolina Constitution to establish the right to clean water, clean air, and the preservation of the environment as an inalienable and self-executing right for all residents. It mandates the state and its branches to act as trustees of natural resources and ensure the conservation and protection of air, waters, land, and biodiversity for present and future generations. The amendment will be presented to voters in a statewide election in November 2026. If a majority supports it, the amendment will be certified and become effective upon certification.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (53) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Brown, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 71st House district, replacing previous state representative Evelyn Terry.