HB 965

Subject to voter approval at the November 2026 general election, enacts new Section 39 to Article I of the NC Constitution establishing the inalienable right to clean water, clean air, and the preservation of the natural, cultural, and healthful qualities of the environment. Mandates equal protection of these self-executing rights by the State. Appoints the State (including all agencies and local governments) as trustee of the State's natural resources and requires the State to conserve, protect, and maintain the State's natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations. Provides for certification and enrollment. Makes the amendment effective upon certification.