Bills › 91st General Assembly
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right of the people to a clean environment
Sponsored by Rep. Sean Bagniewski (D), Rep. Monica Kurth (D), Rep. Elinor A. Levin (D), Rep. Mary Lee Madison (D), Rep. J.D. Scholten (D)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 6, 2026
- Stopped: Approved in committeeDid not pass
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: Passes again next General AssemblyThe same wording, after an election
- Next: Voters decideOn the next general election ballot
Did not pass It didn’t pass both chambers before the General Assembly ended. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary The Aldo Leopold Amendment would add a new right to the Iowa Constitution for every person to have a clean and healthy environment. It would require the state to protect and restore public air and water so they are free from harmful pollution for people living now and in the future. If this change is approved, courts would use the highest level of legal review to protect these rights from being violated.1
Read the official explanation
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa providing that every person has a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, including access to and enjoyment of air and water free from hazards to human health including harmful contaminants and pollutants. The state shall not infringe upon these rights. 2007 its public natural resources, shall conserve and restore all public water and air for the benefit of both this and future generations of people. The proposed amendment and the right stated therein are self-executing, and are therefore effective upon ratification. The proposed amendment states that any and all infringements upon these rights shall be subject to strict scrutiny, the highest level of judicial review. The proposed amendment shall be known as the “Aldo Leopold Amendment”. The resolution, if adopted, would be published and then referred to the next general assembly (92nd) for adoption a second time, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.
Lobbying
3 for · 0 against · 0 undecided · Who →
Family tree
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in 2 earlier General Assemblies. None got through a chamber.
- HJR 10 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right of t…90th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- HJR 12 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right of t…89th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
Matched by wording or an identical title.